Of primary importance would be the issue of homeland security. Foremost in the minds of the delegates will be how the party should respond to the violent crime wave and political unrest within the country.

The supporters of the ruling party are extremely anxious about this rapid upsurge in violent crime and will be looking towards the congress to emerge with proposals amounting to more than just increasing the flow of funds to the law enforcement agencies.

Not unrelated, is the issue of political instability. Just this week, the Guyana Human Rights Association noted that the recent killing of a policeman - the sixth so far for this year - reinforces the view that there is a link between violent crime, political stability, and the gunning down of law officers.

For any nation, the willful killing of police ranks constitutes a serious business for the country and ruling party. The Congress will have to deliberate long and hard on this troubling issue, which is creating much anxiety in the nation and is seriously regressing investment and tourism.

Delegates will no doubt be wary of assurances that the police will soon bring the situation under control and hopefully will see the need to advance a comprehensive political solution, as one way of addressing the increasing decline into lawlessness.

It is expected that the Congress will issue strong condemnations of the politically orchestrated violence by the PNC/R. That party has been fingered for its role in the mayhem that has gripped the country since its representatives walked out of Parliament and devoted its energies to more than just non- cooperation.

However, when the screaming and name-blaming ends, workable solutions will still have to be found and the Congress will have to carefully examine the options available.

One of these is clearly the need to break the existing stalemate between the two major parties as regards the dialogue. Foremost amongst the options would be to widen the dialogue to include the other opposition parties and civil society. The government, ruling party, civil society, other prominent citizens, and the diplomatic community have called for dialogue as the way to overcome difficulties.

The Opposition PNC/R has in the meantime responded that the outstanding decisions of the dialogue be dealt with before it returns to the table. Given that party's role in the violence in the country this response clearly smacks of self-righteousness.

The Congress may very well contemplate the folly of the government entering faithfully into dialogue without assurances from the PNC/R that it will distance itself from criminal behaviour. It would be foolhardy of any PPP Government to go to the negotiating table, after the terror of the past weeks, without some assurances from the PNC/R.

At the same time, the Congress should recognise the wisdom of reaching out to the broader and saner forces in the society in order to forge an anti-violence alliance. The condemnations of the events of July 3 have come from both friends and foes of the ruling party and there is much to be gained by reaching out to these forces, including ROAR and WPA/GAP.

The congress this weekend would be good news for the supporters of the PPP and the country if initiatives emerge that are cognisant of existing political realities. What are needed are not platitudes and ear ringing but rather meaningful measures to create a more inclusive and fair system of governance in our country.

There are of course numerous internal party matters such as those proposed by one group interested in stripping the party's constitution of all Marxist syntax. However, given the overwhelming concern with security in the country, it is hardly likely that the Congress will have time to adequately address these issues.

Much will centre on the addresses of the party's General Secretary and the President Bharrat Jagdeo. These two men are expected to set the tone for the deliberations from the very first day.