A tough assignment
Editorial
President Bharrat Jagdeo has about fifteen months before the campaign gets under way for the next elections. It is not a long time and there is a lot to be done. First, the economy badly needs a boost. There are no overnight solutions available here but a good start could be made with the appointment of an energetic new minister of trade who could work closely with the private sector in an effort to create a new sense of dynamism and to encourage fresh investment. It is essential to go outside the party to find such a person. As for the ministry of finance he should again look for an able person outside the party whom he can brief fully, introduce to all the relevant personnel in the international financial institutions and help to take over the portfolio. He should not hold on to this longer than is necessary but should leave himself free to deal with other pressing issues as soon as possible. The transition should be as brief as possible. Next, he should take a hard new look at the political situation. Should he try to give impetus to the dialogue process by requesting a direct meeting with Mr Hoyte? That could certainly help to normalise the unpleasant situation that existed between Mr Hoyte and his predecessor though Mr Hoyte has made it no easier for him by saying that he does not recognise him as president. Despite that regrettable rebuff he may still feel it desirable to make a statesmanlike gesture by sending Mr Hoyte a formal invitation to a meeting at which they could have a general exploratory discussion on constitutional reform and the dialogue process, the two main features of the Herdmanston Accord. It would be a good beginning to make some effort to heal the standoff that has made politics so thoroughly unpleasant since the last elections. If he fails, he will have done his best. Mr Jagdeo represents an entirely different generation that has no experience of the early sixties. This is another reason for an attempt at a new approach. According to Dr Roger Luncheon though Mr Jagdeo was appointed president in pursuance of the A team formula announced before the last elections he will not necessarily be the party's presidential candidate for the next elections. Dr Luncheon mentioned Mr Jagdeo, Mr Ralph Ramkarran, Mr Moses Nagamootoo and himself as possible candidates. Assuming that this is in fact the party's position Mr Jagdeo can be seen as a holding president with the presidential candidate to be determined by the party next year in time for the elections. Mr Jagdeo is indeed unusually young for the job and there are others who have held senior positions in the party for much longer. He will therefore have to prove his capacity for the job in the period that lies ahead. If he performs effectively that will no doubt stand him in good stead when the candidate is to be chosen next year. He must be careful not to overreact to the many criticisms that are certain to come his way as he has shown a tendency to do in the past. The job of president is arduous and thankless, particularly where the economy is under pressure as it is here. He must do his best, be decisive but expect no miracles. Former President Janet Jagan has said she will not be retiring from politics. She will no doubt continue to have an important voice in party affairs. It seems clear that she played a vital role in choosing Mr Jagdeo as her successor in the first place and if he performs creditably it would seem logical to expect her to continue to back him, which may well be decisive in securing his future.
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