Haiti, are indeed, different in most respects. The comparison, therefore, would be invalid and unreliable.

Why the comparison does not hold?

Let's examine what Haiti was like under Papa Doc Duvalier's dictatorship.

· Duvalier's Haiti was not free, i.e., no political rights and no civil liberties.

· Duvalier administered Haiti as a dictatorship.

· Duvalier created a Constitution to consolidate his power.

· Duvalier replaced the bicameral legislature with a unicameral body.

· Duvalier encouraged and promoted the principles and practices of a one-party state.

· Duvalier violated a 1957 prohibition against Presidential re-election.

· Duvalier declared himself as President for life in 1964.

· Duvalier's elite Presidential Guards weakened the Haitian Army.

· Duvalier further undermined the capacity of the Haitian Army through a rural militia, popularly known as the ton makouts.

· Duvalier cemented his rule through terror - about 30,000 Haitians were killed during his watch.

Let's examine what Guyana is like under the PPP/C Administration (1992-2002).

· PPP/C's Guyana is free, i.e., with political rights and civil liberties, according to the US-based Freedom House Survey)

· The PPP/C Administration administers Guyana as a parliamentary democracy.

· The PPP/C Government initiated constitutional reform to 1980 Constitution.

· The PPP/C Government reduced the powers of the Presidency through constitutional reforms to the 1980 Constitution.

· The PPP/C Government encourages and promotes the principles and practices of a multi-party state.

· The PPP/C Government established good governance to Guyana through following:

1. creating a strong macro-economic environment to facilitate market and economic growth.

2. Expanding the social services sector to reach all Guyanese. Keep in mind that in 1992 under the PNC regime, eight per cent of the Budget was allocated to social services compared to 17.2 per cent and eight per cent of the Budget for Education and Health in 2002, respectively.

3. Administering free, fair, and transparent National Elections in1997 and 2001.

4. Holding Local Government election in 1995, given that it was last administered in 1970.

5. Achieving accountability through the Office of the Auditor-General; the Government's accounts are audited annually.

6. Establishing the Integrity Commission.

7. Using the dialogue with the Opposition PNC/R to attain consensus on policy formulation.

8. Utilising Parliamentary Committees enabling the Opposition to input the legislative process.

9. Reviewing the demarcation and extension of Amerindian Lands.

The PPP/C's democratic thrust and gains will have greater significance if they are stashed against the status of the PNC's legacy in 1992.

Again, this recent TV Commentary also alluded to viewing with suspicion the Guyana Chronicle, one of the State Media, because it had a different angle from the Stabroek News with regard to last Sunday's headlines. The difference in angle may very well have to do with the Sunday Chronicle being in possession of quality information. While the Chronicle is categorised as a State Media entity, it must be made clear that they do not receive subvention funds from the Government.

What is rather contemptuous, however, is the constant implied reference to the PPP/C Government as an East Indian Government in quite a few of the Commentaries. It is as if the PPP/C is improperly placed in Government.

The electoral rules of engagement were agreed upon by all political parties that contested the 2001 national election.

I am not aware that any party fussed about these rules prior to the 2001 election. Under the current electoral arrangements, the PPP/C won. Based on these rules, the PPP/C formed the Government. Since placed in the throes of governance, however, the Administration has continued to make considerable attempts to include the Opposition in inputting the legislative agenda through dialog and the impending parliamentary committees. The PNC/R has now put the dialogue on hold. Clearly, the dialogue has achieved much with a significant emphasis on inclusiveness in policy development.

The incitement to racial hatred law may have some implications for some aspects of the content of this recent TV Commentary.