Jagdeo calls for workable debt relief mechanism Stabroek News April 14, 2000 President Bharrat Jagdeo wants the donor countries and multilateral lending institutions to be more sensitive to the specific circumstances and needs of highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) and to be more inclusive in their approach. He told the opening session of the South Summit now underway in Havana, Cuba, a Guyana Information Services (GIS) release said, that the Cologne initiative to provide debt relief for HIPC countries was for many of these countries, a mere statement of intent. "The delivery mechanism is slow and cumbersome and designed without the participation of the intended beneficiaries." He said that for these reasons Guyana attached great importance to the high level meeting next year on 'Financing for Development' which, hopefully, will address these issues. President Jagdeo also urged his colleagues at the summit to search for a new model of development which takes account of the vulnerabilities of the smaller economies and whose success is measured by the extent to which it reduces poverty and improves the well-being of the people. President Jagdeo is leading the Guyana delegation to the meeting which includes Foreign Minister, Clement Rohee; Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Rudy Insanally; Ambassador to Cuba, Dr Timothy Critchlow and Presidential Adviser, Kellawan Lall.