New President sworn in
by Robert Bazil
THE change over was short. Outgoing President Janet Jagan tendered her resignation to Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Derek Jagan, then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Cecil Kennard administered the oath of office to new President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo who received a Presidential Salute from the Police Military Band. The new President immediately swore in Mr. Sam Hinds as Prime Minister. First Lady Vashnie Jagdeo was at her husband's side during the function, garlanding him after he was sworn into office. The new President and Mrs. Jagan reached out and hugged each other after the formalities. Among the invitees were the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, leading members of the business community, Army Chief-of-Staff Major General Joe Singh and Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis. In his speech, the 35-year-old President offered young people and all Guyanese a chance to break the "vicious circle" of insecurity and said he intends to continue rebuilding the nation with the vision of the late President Cheddi Jagan and former President Janet Jagan. The President called on Guyanese to trust each other in this ethnically diverse community, stressing the need to break away from the bondage of victim and victor perceptions. Noting the country is undergoing a process of reform which will allow it to adjust to the world realities of globalisation and liberalisation, he said the goal is to achieve growth and at the same time to use wealth created to enhance the well-being of the people. He told the Chronicle the government's macro-economic policy will continue but with "specific focus" on water, housing, education, health and job creation. He pledged to create a better investment climate "with the full partnership of the major players in the society - the private sector, the labour movement and civic society." Referring to Mrs. Jagan's decision to step down as President, Mr. Jagdeo said the only other person with such wisdom, courage and humility who comes to mind right now is former South African President Nelson Mandela. "We need love for our country, but more importantly, we need love for one another. We should be tolerant of each other and strive to strengthen the bonds that blind us. Love, compassion and care are not legislated; they come from within," the President emphasised. He acknowledged the heavy responsibilities placed on his shoulders, noting his deepest desire to live up to the high expectations of the people and to play his part in bringing to realisation their dreams - dreams that have inspired the nation's forefathers throughout the ages to struggle for freedom and prosperity. The President told the gathering he accepts these challenges, not as a young man filled with exuberance, but because he is assured of the goodwill of his countrymen and countrywomen. "I know that there are tens of thousands of patriotic Guyanese of all walks of life who are prepared to put their shoulders to the wheel to build a happy tomorrow...I invite those patriots to join me in this national effort to lead this country into the next millennium as a country of opportunities and a bright future," he said. Bharrat Jagdeo was born on January 23, 1964 into a working class family at Unity, East Coast Demerara. His father worked on the railway service once operated by the Transport and Harbours Department and then the Marine Section, while his mother tended a garden and raised the six children. "Today, as the PPP/Civic had promised, the torch of leadership has been passed on to the younger generation. I am humbled by the trust reposed in me by my party and Government. "As President of the Republic I intend to maintain the dignity of the office and use all my energies to serve all Guyanese," he said. He felt that although Guyana is very poor, it has opportunities, but needs to move away from the conventional path to recognise this fact. The administration has promised to continue the policy of deepening the bonds of friendship with neighbouring nations, Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil. A cornerstone of the foreign policy will continue to be closer integration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The President said he will be meeting CARICOM leaders very soon and intends to emphasise Guyana's position for quickening the process of political and economic union with CARICOM. "Our traditional friendly tries with the United States, Canada, Britain, India and China and others will be deepened," he promised. Pointing to peaceful relationships among nations in the world, he said that that vision was outlined by the late Cheddi Jagan in his advocacy for a New Global Human Order - a new dispensation in which all nations will be treated fairly and that common solutions must be found to resolve increasingly complex global problems. Many present noted the President's extending a hand of friendship to the Opposition. Police threw up cordons at nearby streets and dozens of ranks maintained a presence around the State House compound. Security at the gate to State House was tight and invitations and press passes had to be presented before entry. Mrs. Jagan, in offering her resignation to the Speaker of the House described the function as a momentous occasion and was grateful for the support, kindness and regard she received during her 20 months as President. "...I did my best, but because of health reasons I do not feel that I can continue to give the energy and hard work required for this job," she remarked. However, Mrs. Jagan was confident she was handing over the reigns of Government to a young man full of vigour with a lot of brain power. Prime Minister Hinds said he appreciated the honour afforded him by his colleagues of the PPP/Civic and particularly President Jagdeo to continue as Prime Minister in the administration. He felt that the readiness of the PPP to welcome him and many Civic members to share with them in this glorious but demanding task of bringing better days to Guyanese and the country, must forever be remarked upon. "It is continuing evidence...if more evidence was needed...of the PPP's commitment from the founding of the Political Affairs Committee some 56 years ago, to seek out and bring in others to work with them in improving the conditions of Guyana," Mr. Hinds said. Prime Minister Hinds looked foreword to working with President Jagdeo as he did with Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan. 
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