This is another example of the conciliatory rather than a confrontational approach being more constructive and achieving much more without causing any antagonistic relations between the parties involved.

It was puzzling that the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, who is also attached to one of the bauxite unions and was involved in putting up proposals on the issue, reportedly said he would not have been able to attend the Kwakwani meeting. One would have thought that such an important and vital issue pertaining to the livelihood of the workers would have been treated as priority, especially by labour leaders who have been very vocal on the matter.

The revelation that a so-called workers proposal to take over the Berbice Mining Enterprise (BERMINE) operations at Kwakwani and Everton was a ploy to gain the attention of the Government, took the President by surprise. The Government Information Agency (GINA) said Mr. Jagdeo expressed shock at this declaration, noting that this action had sidetracked the Government's focus from the real problems in the industry.

He correctly said that to think that people would make such selfish choices "is very disturbing". From all reports, the President's meetings at both locations were successful, in that there were frank exchanges of positions and ideas on how to resolve the difficulty.

Of course some are behaving as if the problems in the bauxite industry began yesterday and are unfairly putting all the blame on the Government. But most of the existing agreements pertaining to the industry were signed before this Government came into office.

Some conveniently forget that the problems in the industry originated with its nationalisation which was followed by poor management and extravagance and aggravated and compounded by the decline in the demand and international price for the commodity.

However, pointing fingers and counter accusing will not help this difficult situation and the President was correct to consult the workers and involve them in the decision making process, so that in the end a consensus position is reached and accepted by all stakeholders in good faith.

All are involved and this is not an issue for some to try to gain political mileage from. It is one of national importance with serious long-term consequences for the entire nation.

The issue must therefore be treated with flexibility, maturity and a deep sense of patriotic commitment.

And now that the workers are overwhelmingly in support of a merger of the BERMINE operations, no time should be wasted in moving forward.

Measures should be expeditiously implemented to ensure that the welfare of the workers is efficiently taken care of, especially those that might be laid off.

We commend the President for taking time off to visit the areas and to hear firsthand from the workers on such a crucial issue.