Viewpoint
by Prem Misir, Ph.D.
Guyana Chronicle
May 20, 2001

The rules of engagement in the March 19 elections have determined that the PPP/C should form the government. That is exactly what has happened.

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is on record as calling for a dialogue with Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Leader of the Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) since 1999.

It is with great regret that the dialogue could only have started on April 24, 2001, almost two years after it was first requested. But the dialogue, too, did not happen until the usual post-elections violence perpetrated against innocent Guyanese by criminal elements among the PNC/R protesters, had made its mark.

These criminal elements were disavowed as PNC/R protesters by Congress Place headquarters.

However, the fact that the violence unleashed by the 'dogs of war', was committed amid the protests and in a climate of instability well orchestrated by the PNC/R, most certainly places the responsibility for these atrocities solely on the shoulders of the PNC/R.

To date, Hoyte has not, on his own, denounced the post-elections violence perpetuated on innocent victims.

In fact, a tally of these victims will demonstrate that they are both African and East Indian Guyanese. But, again, as in previous situations, East Indian Guyanese felt the full force of these attacks as victims of murder, physical assault and robbery more than any other ethnic groups.

Therefore, it's not surprising that East Indians increasingly perceive themselves to have a security problem in Guyana.

However, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has deployed a number of measures to address the concerns of all ethnic groups, including East Indian Guyanese.

Examples of these measures include increased Police patrols and response capability, deployment of the Army, and the Assessment Assistance Committee.

The dark weeks of violence now have conceded to the dialogue.

A few meetings between Jagdeo and Hoyte have produced a committee system, addressing issues of local government reform, national security, the bauxite industry, land distribution, depressed communities, and radio monopoly and non-partisan boards.

Eventually, each committee's report, initially, will be presented to President Jagdeo and Mr. Hoyte. Subsequently, these committee's reports will be presented to Cabinet via the relevant ministries for decision-making purposes.

In some ways, the dialogue through the committee system is integral to the democratisation process, aimed at creating a more open and a more participatory society.

Decentralisation is the hallmark of this committee system whereby it enables each committee to share in legislative, executive, and other internal administrative functions.

The committee's presence ensures cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of the government.

It will collect information and observations, identify problems, and determine support for and resistance to proposals and measures pertaining to the society.

In addressing issues, a committee can take four actions to support parliamentary work:

+ The committee can ask relevant executive agencies for written comments on an issue.

+ The committee can hold hearings to collect information and observations from outside experts on an issue.

+ The committee can revise such an issue through amendments made at its meetings.

+ The committee's report can reach the Cabinet via the relevant Ministry.

We believe that the composition of the current committee system is based on broad-based political coalitions. These broad-based committees also have a role to play in advancing the democratisation process via their current specific terms of reference, thus:

+ They will assist in the participation of citizens in the political process.

+ They will provide an emerging consensus on the 'what' and 'how' of nation building.

+ They will add a new momentum and a resultant expansion in the government's support for democratisation.

+ They will be the foundation for the government's interest and effort in democratisation.

+ They will contribute to peace and security among ethnic groups, securing justice and human rights, and advancing economic and social development.

+ They will enable citizens to see the transparency and accountability of the government.

+ They will create a political culture, which essentially is non-violent where no one ethnic group expects to win or lose continuously.

+ They will reinforce a democratic political life where the will of the people is the basis of governmental authority.

This committee system, a product of the Jagdeo/Hoyte dialogue, is not intended to drive the Administration's agenda, but to contribute to that agenda.

The rules of engagement in the March 19 elections have determined that the PPP/C should form the government. That is exactly what has happened.

These committees will address specific issues of concern to the society at large. The committee system is intended to enable oppositional groups to participate and not control governmental business.

Government business encompasses wide-ranging issues, and has a greater scope than the concerns being addressed in the current committee system. (First broadcast on GBC.)