by Abigail Kippins
Guyana Chronicle
May 25, 2001

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday stressed that improving the country's defence capabilities remains a top priority for his government and he praised the Joint Services for their role against recent threats from "extremists in our midst".

"The enhancement of the capabilities of the defence sector is a top priority. Several steps have already been taken in this direction", the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces noted at the commissioning ceremony of Army officers at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Camp Ayanganna base in Georgetown.

"This enhancement must, of necessity, be a continuous process. Specific attention is being placed on the maritime and aviation sector", the President stated.

He said complimentary to the re-capitalisation of the Army, have been efforts to enhance the human conditions in the sector and stated that in time to come, Guyana will derive increased benefits of these approaches to safeguard its future.

"You and your fellow ensigns, of course, have an exciting role to play in these developments. In this effort we have received favourable responses of assistance from friendly governments", he told the officers.

He noted that internally, "commendable efforts have been spent in dispelling the spectre of racial conflict and an ethnic divide from the face of Guyana."

"I re-affirm my support and the Administration's appreciation of the role played by the Joint Services in combating the ugly manifestations of the actions of the extremists in our midst".

He said the Executive and the State would stand strong in their support of the integrity of Guyana, and strong in will to remain cohesive and not to yield to anything but one united nation.

The Army and Police have been maintaining patrols on the East Coast Demerara following violence and rising tensions from unrest in several villages since the March 19 elections.

Mr. Jagdeo said last year the nation witnessed the external threats to its sovereignty but noted that his administration has put together an array of measures to comprehensively develop and defend the country's position.

He announced that plans are under way for the inclusion of Defence Studies in the curriculum of the Foreign Service Institute and soon the officers in the Joint Services would be more organically exposed to the affairs of state.

The President said his consultations with the Joint Services at the Defence Board and other levels have been frequent and they are analysing many strategic and tactical issues in order to place the Army in a better position to carry out its responsibilities.

"Our resolve is to obtain maximum benefits from our interactions", he told graduands of the GDF Standard Officers Course #33 and Reserved Officers Course #12.

He said they need to be aware of the peculiar circumstances in the country under which they will have to live and work and that an understanding of this environment will assist them in discharging their duties.

He further admonished them to commit themselves to providing an efficient security service, which is a legitimate expectation, even a right as defined these days constitutionally and internationally.

Security of the person, property, community, and of the Republic is what they must commit themselves to provide, he said.

Two women were among the nine Ensigns of the SOC 33 and five Officer Cadets of ROC 12 formally commissioned by the Commander-in-Chief yesterday.

The women, Ayesha Green-Reid and Christine Bradford, took their places among the other Ensigns at the Commissioning Parade held at the Drill Square, Camp Ayanganna.

The two courses were conducted at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS), a division of the GDF Training Corps.

SOC 33 commenced in February 2000 with some 32 participants including four members of the St. Kitts/Nevis and the Antigua Barbuda Defence Forces but only 15 of them successfully completed the course.

Only nine members of the SOC 33 were on the Commissioning Parade, and the GDF explained that four foreign students have returned to their respective countries after their elevation to the rank of Ensign, and two Officer Cadets were selected to attend the Officers Cadet Course in England.

ROC 12 commenced in October 1999 with 20 Officer Cadets but one participant migrated during the initial stage of the training.

Apart from the five members of ROC 12, who were on the parade, the 14 Officer Cadets who successfully completed the course but are away on duty, were also commissioned.

Participants of the two courses commissioned were Ensigns Ayesha Greene-Reid and Officer Cadet Christine Bradford, Wesley Gordon, Michael Elliott, Mark St. Clair, James Fraser, Dominic Shepherd, William King, Drumson McCaulay, Alston Scott, Adityanand Singh, Lyne Wilkin, Kwasi Tonge, Hilroy Andrews, Carey Anderson, Officer Cadets Pelham Doris, Julian Archer, Patrick Inniss, Gail DaCosta, William Skeete, Otien Moffet, Richard Raghoo, Henry Hamilton, Lancelot Khan, Patience Jacobs, Hawley Sealey, Manesh Seeram, James Walrond, Yonette Pluck, Valmikki Singh and Keiron Husbands.

Best Student, Second Lieutenant Wesley Gordon, SOC, also moved away with awards for Best Drill, the Brazilian Armed Forces Prize, the Venezuela Armed Forces Prize and the Sword of Honour.

Other awards went to Michael Elliot, Military Knowledge; Lynn Wilkin, Best Shot, and Patrick Inniss, Best Student (ROC).

The GDF said Officer Cadet training in the Force is designed to give the participants a foundation for leadership under some of the most demanding and challenging conditions.

Noting his encouragement by the Ensigns' success, the President said they had completed training through their hard work, determination and ability.

"Behind you stand the GDF, our national Army, which continues to uphold its tradition of service. As the latest to join those before us, you are expected to uphold that tradition of respecting the dignity of our people and institutions", President Jagdeo stated.

He said his government stands behind the GDF, acutely aware of its role and obligations and is poised to move ahead and discharge the mandate it has been given.

He said challenges will be encountered and should be expected but noted that the way in which these are handled will contribute to their growth and development personally and organisationally.

"We both will be required to account for and be accountable for our actions. We both will be expected to display knowledge and skills paying profound attention to standards and ethics and the peculiarities of our country", the President stated.

He said his administration is facing the future fully aware of the expectations of the Guyanese people and has embarked on a course of action that, in providing resources to the military, also establishes the basis for the expectations that the military will continue to see security in all of its dimensions.

"I want to urge you to be confident of your ability to meet those obligations. I want to assure you that you will never be alone in responding to the challenges of meeting your obligations to Guyana".

The President noted that tomorrow Guyana celebrates its 35th anniversary of Independence.

"We have made many strides in achieving the goals of those who led the independence struggles", President Jagdeo said.

However, he said many dreams of the people have not been realised but noted that his government is part of that process of making those dreams a reality.

The programmes and policies in place are intended to bring hope that Guyana can be a land of opportunities where all the people live in harmony, President Jagdeo said.

To this end, he said, "we are aiming at creating more jobs by encouraging more domestic and foreign investments, providing land for the people to live on and work, better health care, improved education, housing, water and other infrastructure."

"I have invited all my Guyanese brothers and sisters to join me in the task of creating a better life for all our people.

"One resolve remains to retain our unique identity, to maintain our national unity and resolve our border problems.

"Let us pledge to work for these goals as we continue to progress in our different callings", he urged.