Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
May 18, 2001

WE FULLY support the dialogue process between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition and PNC/R Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte.

After several rounds of discussions, the two men have been able to make headway and several committees have been set up to examine issues in the various areas of concern.

This is a move in the right direction and we support the speedy implementation of recommendations that would have emanated from deliberations by these committees.

The committees have been agreed on by both sides of the political spectrum and are all bipartisan groups representing the interest of a wide cross section of the Guyanese population. We hope to see action from them and would expect that whatever might be the outcome or decisions from the committees, these would be respected and accepted by all and sundry.

The dialogue, followed by the bipartisan committees, came on the heels of the post-elections violence which saw disruptions, robberies and beatings, looting and burning of vehicles and other forms of criminal activities particularly against Guyanese of Indian descent.

Apart from these, heavy damage was done to public property along sections of the East Coast Highway.

While we express our unqualified support to the dialogue process and the work of the committees, we would like to state categorically that the law must be allowed to take its course against those involved in pre-and post-election violence.

Public-spirited and peace-loving Guyanese cannot condone those violent actions.

We support any judicial action that might be deemed necessary and appropriate to deal with the architects and perpetrators of all the wrongdoing leading up to and after the March 19 elections.

Post-elections violence erupted in Georgetown during daily street protests by the PNC/R and the Guyana Public Service Union leaving in its wake billions of dollars in damage and scores of Guyanese out of jobs, not to mention the dent it put on the local economy.

All Guyana view with interest the dialogue which was started between President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte on April 24 last and many have started readjusting their lives for the imminent return to normalcy in the society.

Everything so far seems to be pointing in a positive direction and already following four rounds of dialogue between the two, six bipartisan committees have been set up to address concerns raised. It seems as if everything has been set in motion and as soon as the committees would have completed their work, the further development of the people and country could be expected.

However, most Guyanese view with surprise the statement by the PNC/R following the arrest and charges of sedition brought by the Police against two TV talk show hosts.

It is to be hoped that the PNC/R would allow better sense to prevail, draw a distinctive line between the ongoing dialogue and judicial matters, and allow justice to take its course.