Prime Minister `amused' by opposition
GEORGETOWN, (CANA) - Prime Minister Sam Hinds has stated that he "is amused" by the politics of opposition parties claiming concern that he may have been by-passed for the office of Executive President of Guyana in preference for his colleague Bharrat Jagdeo. "This kind of politicking and reporting by sections of the media", he told CANA in a telephone interview Friday, "are consistent with previous attempts to exploit social and political divisions in the country and to provoke dissent within our ranks. But they will not succeed." Mr. Hinds was reacting to criticisms by the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) that the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) was manipulating the constitution to avoid appointing him, the Prime Minister, as the successor to Mrs. Janet Jagan after she resigned as head of state and government last Wednesday. But Mr. Hinds, viewed as the leader of the Civic component of the PPP/Civic administration since October 1992, said that he neither had to "step aside, nor was I by-passed." "What took place on Wednesday," he stressed, "was simply in accordance with an agreement, known publicly, and which is being honoured". The Prime Minister, who functioned as President for nine months in 1997 following the death of President Cheddi Jagan, said that at this stage he would prefer "not to waste time on the issue". And he referred to remarks he had made at the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday when 35-year-old Finance Minister Jagdeo became Guyana's new President. In welcoming the opportunity to continue to serve as Prime Minister, Mr. Hinds had told the gathering that "the readiness of the PPP to welcome me and so many of us Civic to share with them in this glorious but demanding task of bringing better days to our people and our country, must be forever remarked upon... "It is continuing evidence, if more evidence was needed", he added, "of the PPP's commitment from the founding of the Political Affairs Committee, 56 years ago, to seek out and bring in others to work with the PPP for the benefit of our nation..." Mr. Hinds said he was looking forward to working with Mr. Jagdeo as President, very much as he did while Cheddi and Janet Jagan served the nation in that capacity. According to the existing Guyana Constitution, the Prime Minister is the first in line to succeed to the presidency. But by virtue of a coalition arrangement between the PPP/Civic, the post of President is held by the PPP while that of Prime Minister is held by a representative of the Civic. The Constitution Reform Commission, CANA was told, has not recommended changing the existing structure of an Executive President with a Prime Minister as principal assistant and leader of government, and a number of Vice-Presidents. Guyana's cabinet is comprised of the President, Prime Minister, the Vice-Presidents (that could range from one to five), and such other ministers as the President may wish to appoint.
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