Good move, Mr Rohee
THE news that former Foreign Minister, Mr Rashleigh Jackson is on the Guyana team for the talks that started here yesterday with Suriname on the border dispute has been welcomed by many. It's the kind of positive sign Guyanese have been longing for amid the seemingly endless and sometimes bitter squabbles that dog the political situation. It shows that the political differences are not as deeply entrenched as to keep parties apart on crucial national issues. And in that there is much comfort. The two main parties, the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) and the opposition People's National Congress (PNC), in spite of regular structured encounters, always seem to be at loggerheads and in distant camps. And the barbs are constantly thrown back and forth between them seemingly only for scoring political points. Sometimes there is worth in the criticisms but it is mostly a fruitless exercise, to the exasperation of others more interested in improving the political dialogue and culture in this country. Now on a national issue, a former PNC Foreign Minister has agreed to be on the official government team for talks involving a territorial dispute with Suriname. President Bharrat Jagdeo, at his press conference on the dispute last week, noted that Guyanese are united on issues of territorial integrity and said that his government will use the best technical minds available. Bringing in Mr Jackson proves the point. As the talks were about to begin at Herdmanston House in Georgetown yesterday morning, Mr Jackson told us he was invited to be on the delegation. He is there as an advisor. "The issue is a national issue and therefore I am happy to participate on the terms and conditions which are agreed. "It's part of a public service and I hope it will be rewarding and helpful to the Minister (Rohee) in terms of reaching a successful conclusion", he said. The involvement of Mr Jackson at such a level with the government has triggered interest outside of Guyana. It has made news in the Caribbean and the impact has not been lost on those in the region following events here. Whether the inclusion of Mr Jackson in the Guyana Government delegation for these crucial talks with Suriname marks a fresh turn in the political landscape here remains to be seen. However, the move by itself has stirred fresh hopes for narrowing the rather unfortunate divide that has for too long kept the people of this country uncomfortable. Good move, Mr Rohee.
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