Guyana Chronicle
May 3, 2001

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and leader of the main Opposition People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Mr Desmond Hoyte met as scheduled yesterday for their third session since last week.

Unlike the first two meetings when a joint statement was issued at the end of the sessions, no statement was released yesterday.

But a source said Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud and PNC/R Chairman, Mr Robert Corbin are to meet to name the members for the committees and joint task force the President and Hoyte agreed on at their second meeting last week.

The meeting yesterday at the Office of the President lasted for more than an hour, the official told the Chronicle.

Persaud and Corbin are to report back to President Jagdeo and Hoyte by Tuesday when the two are due to meet again, the official said.

At the end of their second meeting last week Wednesday, the following joint statement was issued:

1. We will set up a Joint Task Force within two weeks to undertake the task of implementing the provisions of Local Government Reform Legislation. This should be completed within twelve months. We also agreed that local government elections be held as speedily as possible thereafter. To this end we will consult with the Elections Commission to alert them to this possibility.

2. As soon as the National Assembly convenes, Political Parties in the Assembly will meet to establish an All Party mechanism for the management of Parliamentary business.

3. We agreed to establish a Committee to develop a bi-partisan approach to border and national security issues and the re-capitalisation of the army.

4. We agreed to the speedy establishment of the National Procurement Commission once the constitutional amendment is passed.

5. We agreed to set up a Committee speedily to examine and report on a national policy for the distribution of land and house lots (including relevant criteria and mechanisms). This committee will submit its report in a time frame to be determined.

6. We agreed to establish a joint committee to examine the various options for the resuscitation of the bauxite industry. This report would be submitted within three months of the convening of the committee.

7. We agreed to set up a committee to examine the needs of various depressed communities across Guyana and report back in six months. In the meantime, we have agreed to identify some areas where rehabilitation works will begin at an early date.

8. We agreed to work together for the speedy completion of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and to ensure that the resources identified in that process flow towards the reduction of poverty and the creation of employment.

9. We agreed to set up a committee to examine the issue of government monopoly of radio and the question of non-partisan Boards of Directors for the state-owned media and the NFMU (National Frequency Management Unit). The enacting of Broadcast Legislation for the responsible use of the media will also be examined by this committee. This committee will report within six weeks.