Guyana Chronicle
April 20, 2001

THE country has seen several days of violent street protests that caused destruction and devastation in parts of the city and arrangements are being concluded for talks between President Bharrat Jagdeo and leader of the main Opposition People's National Congress/Reform, Mr. Desmond Hoyte.

These talks which President Jagdeo has repeatedly called for since he first took office as President in August 1999, are aimed at saving the nation from disaster.

We believe, that although late, the talks could not have come at a better time, and should be welcomed by all Guyanese who want to see a return to normalcy so that together, we could as a single unit continue with the arduous task of nation building.

We know that there will be agreements and disagreements, but we hope that trivialities would not be allowed to stall the process.

We feel that the outcome of these crucial talks will point the way forward, and all patriotic Guyanese are obliged to encourage both men to come up with a solution that is acceptable in all quarters of the Guyanese society.

We know that the vast majority of Guyanese are eager to get on with their lives, while a sprinkling of ill-advised people are bent on creating mayhem.

We must say an emphatic no to them.

The dialogue between President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte must be allowed to take its course with the expectation that the end result would haul us away from the precipice of prehistoric savagery.

There has already been one round of discussions by representatives of the two parties who are working out the modalities for the all important dialogue between President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte.

The signal from that round of discussions is very encouraging and we urge the two men to continue in the same vein.

We feel that this trend is important because the vitality of civil and political institutions in our society depends on free discussions. We also embrace the fact the mutual confidence on which all else depends can be maintained only by an open mind and a brave reliance upon free discussion.

President Jagdeo has echoed these sentiments on several occasions, and it is now left to those responsible for the violent elements on the streets to put a stop to the madness.

We are in total agreement with the President, for no meaningful discussions could be held under duress.

There must be an atmosphere of absolute peace and calm before any worthwhile discussion could take place.

We can only assert our firm belief here that unjustified terror paralyses genuinely needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

We feel that every Guyanese should help in their own way to bring a successful conclusion to the impending talks between President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte.

This is necessary since the outcome, if not favourable, will affect all of us.

It is therefore our duty to tell our leaders that the results must be acceptable not only to the two of them, but rather to all the Guyanese people.