Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
April 25, 2001

THE much-anticipated talks between President Bharrat Jagdeo and leader of the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr Desmond Hoyte, took place yesterday afternoon at the Presidential complex in Georgetown.

The two leaders, we understand, met alone for about two hours and appeared to have set the stage for advancing the talks in the national interest.

One significant step forward is the announcement in the joint statement that the PNC/R "recognises the government without prejudice to an election petition."

This is the first formal recognition of the government by the PNC/R since the March 19 elections and the delay in arriving at this position has been cause for much comment in letters to the newspapers and among observers.

According to the statement, President Jagdeo and Mr Hoyte also "accept that violence ought not to be part of any protest and will work towards the lessening of tensions while recognising that progress on the implementation of the agenda is crucial to the success of our efforts."

It is an end to the violence that has been triggered by PNC/R protests since the elections that the majority of Guyanese, here and abroad, want to see a quick end to and it is to be hoped that the talks between the President and Mr Hoyte can quickly restore normality in the country.

Dialogue is the accepted mode in civilised societies of resolving differences and problems and all Guyanese of goodwill should be backing the move to the table by Mr Jagdeo and Mr Hoyte.

The joint statement issued last night said they "have agreed on an agenda, which includes all the issues raised by the Leader of the PNC/R, and will meet (today) to settle the mechanism for moving forward."

We join with others in hoping that these meetings will indeed pave the way forward for the peace, unity and progress so many anticipate.