Anniversary musings
Editorial
TODAY is the second anniversary of the December 15, 1997 general elections and it coincides with the not-so-openly acknowledged thrust for the next due polls just around the corner. Some media people were taken for a ride since last weekend about one of the expected aging contenders for the first general elections in the new millennium - whether it starts in 2000 or in 2001. It seems that they were wishing and prodding him on the way out but he dashed their hopes and, true to form, declared himself staying put. That contender would not like to be reflecting fondly today on the second anniversary of what has been acknowledged as the reaffirmation of this country's commitment to rebuilding democracy. The reality, however, is that the political landscape has changed considerably from the first anniversary of this landmark and Guyanese are breathing much easier today about the future than they did around this time last year, when rumours of war stalked the land. Although they agreed to yield up two years of the statutory five-year term won at the December 15, 1997 elections, the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic), seems to have not been diminished by the battles with the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) and its allies since the polls. In fact, the PPP/Civic is looking to the new millennium with confidence and renewed hope, heading its anniversary statement for today ``PPP/Civic is positioning Guyana for the new century'. With PNC leader, Ms Desmond Hoyte yesterday scotching suggestions in some sections of the media that he was stepping out of active politics and declaring that he was leading the party into the elections scheduled for January 2001, those backing him have to dig deep for a strategy to boost their chances while at the same time keeping a close watch over their shoulders at those who would want to unseat their leader. For there are those in the PNC who do not fancy the party's chances come January 2001 with Mr Hoyte as their standard bearer in the new millennium. And the dilemma is that none around him are prepared to face him with their misgivings. The PPP/Civic, on the other hand, appear to be comfortable in their ways, saying in their anniversary statement that they have "had to confront those who wanted to take Guyana back to the days of dictatorship and divisions." "Efforts to continue rapid development of our country have been deliberately frustrated. But these have failed to weaken the resolve of the PPP/Civic", the statement said. They take comfort in the results of the struggle to consolidate "our fragile democracy and keeping the forces of dictatorship and destruction at bay." "Even the will of our people to move forward as one has been tested. However, the destructive motives of the elements of hatred are repudiated by peace-loving Guyanese", the governing alliance says. For the PPP/Civic, December 15, 1997 "brought fresh hopes that the culture of democracy, based on the free will of the people and a multi-party system, will become the wave of the future." For others, it was another day of woe. The resolve today among peace-loving Guyanese, however, must be that no effort will be spared to ensure that schemes aimed at thwarting the free will of the people do not succeed.
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