THE disclosure that the Guyana Police have contacted Interpol for help in finding the four foreigners who hijacked a 13-seater passenger aircraft last week, should be encouraging news for all who desire swift and effective resolution to the introduction of this most reckless, dangerous tactic by those who clearly have no respect for the rule of law.

This is no time to score points by either the Minister of Home Affairs or the operators of private commercial aircraft. What is required is for all stakeholders in the local travel industry to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities, civil aviation and the security forces, to avoid the recurrence of that experienced by the pilot and eight passengers on the hijacked Trans-Guyana aircraft.

The quick response to and seriousness that the government has commendably shown in dealing with the breach in the conservancy defence system at Cane Grove is the kind of attitude that must be extended to the hijacking incident at a time when criminals, local and foreign, are out to exploit any area of weakness.

We have already called for the urgent convening of a meeting of all concerned to review what security lapses or deficiencies may have contributed to the hijacking incident and to determine what new security procedures and mechanisms should be put in place.

The strategy must be designed to encompass all internal flights, departure and arrival points, and, as far as possible, complement the more sophisticated and costly procedures and facilities at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. The owners and operators of commercial aircraft will be expected to honour their obligations.

The Brazilian diplomatic mission in Guyana has made clear the commitment of Brazil to help the local authorities track down the four hijackers whose identities have been clearly established. It cannot be beyond the resources of Brazil to make good on this commitment as soon as possible.

Guyana has already been faced with the problems posed by illegal Brazilian miners, the 'garimpeiros', forcing the government to regularise their status while seeking to also curb the illegal practice of smuggling Guyana's gold and diamond into Brazil.

As good border neighbours both Brazil and Guyana have a vested interest in ensuring effective cooperation against smugglers, hijackers and all criminals.

Cane Grove Breach
And now, having moved swiftly to establish the special team to probe the circumstances of the breach in the conservancy dam at Cane Grove, President Bharrat Jagdeo must move with haste also in giving priority consideration to the report that has just been submitted by the team.

Simultaneously, the compensation aspect of this disaster must proceed with efficiency and effectiveness to bring relief to the victims of the flood waters that resulted from the breach.

A promise of three weeks has been given by the chairman of the committee established to deal with compensation. This may be somewhat optimistic. But it would be good to know that the process can be completed well before Christmas.

The contracted engineering firm has denied any responsibility for the breach. The President has already stated that if culpable, the engineering firm will have to pay compensation. We must await consideration of the findings of the report by the team that was headed by Mr. Harold Davis Jr.

Litigation seems very much on the horizon. What is in no doubt is that against the background of previous breaches in other places, the authorities will now be even more scrupulous in determining contracts and, hopefully, more rigorous in ensuring compliance.