Editorial
Stabroek News
June 14, 2001

The dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte continues to be our best hope for peace, stability and recent development. There have been serious glitches, in particular the recent initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sam Hinds in the areas of the bauxite industry and the broadcast media, both of which were badly timed as they were the subject of deliberation by committees that had been set up by the two leaders. But, of course, this is a learning experience. The government has to address its collective mind to the fact that it ought not to do anything that is incompatible with or might appear to preempt the work of the committees. Any such action will be seen as an act of bad faith.

The dialogue itself is extremely valuable as the two leaders have now had the opportunity to meet each other several times in private, to discuss serious issues and to develop, hopefully, some measure of trust and respect. Senior members of the two parties are also working together in the committees and looking for solutions. The bauxite committee has submitted its report. The media committee has been meeting various persons. The depressed communities committee has visited four villages and had meetings with the people. And the committee dealing with land allocation has also been meeting. Taken together this amounts to real progress.

One hopes that there will be positive and visible results in the next couple of months. One also hopes that the experience of meeting and working together will lead both to a better understanding of the difficult issues involved and to less low level politicking on both sides. The agreement on the head of the civil service is also positive, as are the discussions on joint management of parliament.

The tone of politics has been so confrontational for so long and the rhetoric so harsh and hostile. Is there a chance that this will improve under the impact of dialogue? Can our politicians speak of each other in more civil tones, can they learn the gentle art of compromise? This is necessary to preserve any democracy. Our society has been under enormous strain, the vast majority of the people want peace and development. That is indeed our only hope or emigration will continue and the extremists will have their day.

The dialogue has opened up a number of possibilities and there is no reason why it should be confined to topics already covered. Why should it not extend, for example, to delicate and complex issues such as trying to find a joint approach to dealing with crime and the question of the strengthening and training of the police force. So much could be achieved with goodwill, patience and a little wisdom. Even the most apparently difficult and divisive issues may not be beyond solution, or at least some improvement.