Guyana Chronicle
April 20, 2001

THE agreed meeting between President Bharrat Jagdeo and leader of the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr Desmond Hoyte is scheduled for Tuesday.

The time and venue will be announced later.

A PNC/R release said this was communicated to its General Secretary, Mr Oscar Clarke by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud.

Persaud was named by the President and Clarke by the PNC/R leader as their representatives to meet and make the necessary arrangements for the talks.

The inaugural meeting between the two representatives took place for two hours on Monday, in the Committee Room of the Parliament Buildings, Georgetown and was described as a "cordial" session.

It addressed in general terms the modalities to be involved including general approach, atmosphere, date and possible agenda.

Reached last night, Minister Persaud confirmed that the meeting which President Jagdeo insists must take place in a conducive atmosphere, has been set for Tuesday.

Clarke, after the discussions on Monday said the PNC/R was "ready for the talks now" but with no pre-conditions attached.

Persaud anticipated the meeting would have taken place soon, judging from the trend of the discussions.

The meeting between Persaud and Clarke came after Hoyte accepted a formal invitation President Jagdeo issued earlier this month for one-on-one talks.

President Jagdeo had repeatedly said he was willing to meet the PNC/R leader on issues of concern.

Before leaving yesterday for Quebec to attend the third Summit of the Americas, President Jagdeo told the Guyana Information Services (GIS) the present atmosphere was not conducive for serious and productive dialogue -- one free from fear, intimidation and pressures.

He expressed the hope that the talks will proceed expeditiously to focus on serious issues in order to attain quick results.

This, however, he maintained, can only be done if the situation in the country returns to normalcy.