PPP, PNC to consider WPA transitional govt proposal
Both the major political parties plan to give due consideration to the proposal from the Working People's Alliance (WPA) for a two-year transitional government composed according to the results of the 1997 general elections. However, the general secretaries of the PPP and the PNC admitted that the proposal was still to be looked at by the decision-making fora of their parties. The proposal was sent to the parties earlier this month by WPA co-leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who is a member of the Constitutional Reform Commission. People's National Congress (PNC) general secretary, Oscar Clarke, told Stabroek News yesterday that his party had not had the opportunity as yet to consider the proposal but would do so at the first opportunity. However, he did indicate that he had informed Dr Roopnaraine that the PNC would consider the proposal seriously. Donald Ramotar, the general secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP)/Civic, also told Stabroek News yesterday that the PPP/Civic plans to consider the proposal but has not yet had a chance to do so. The proposal by the WPA calls for, among other things, a consensus constitution based on the decisions and recommendations of the Commission and for maximum give and take and readiness to change. It also calls for an amendment of the CARICOM-brokered Herdmanston Accord timetable which would include a listing of the things to be done to carry out the agreement within the time set for them. The proposal noted that these tasks require time for public information delivery and public discussion and that there should be no need to rush as was done in the 1997 elections. The proposal noted that "the worst omen will be the rejection of this proposal by any important section of society, without recommending at the same time or soon after, a superior approach to the period which lies ahead of us. The best formula then seems a neutral one, which can allay disappointment and curb the sense of triumph which normally follows victory." (Patrick Denny)
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