He said it must also remain committed to the ideals of the party, to make life better for every Guyanese regardless of race or religion, which were enunciated at its inception.

His calls came in his opening address at the Congress which is due to end today at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Port Mourant, Berbice, under the theme "Defend Democracy: Build On Our Successes."

The atmosphere yesterday at the Congress, being held in the birthplace of the late party founder and leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, was upbeat among the more than 600 delegates and observers. There was an enthusiastic response to the President's hour-long address, which was interrupted several times with tumultuous applause.

"Our large numbers here today send an unequivocal message to this country that we remain strong and united as a political party, that we are up to the task ahead of us, that we are the only national political party in Guyana.

"Our Congress has always been a reservoir of ideas, commitment and discussions which we all come to from time to time to replenish and re-energise ourselves. I have no doubt that this Congress will fulfill that expectation," the President declared to loud applause.

He categorically rejected violence as a means of resolving differences and disputes and condemned actions by some politicians to espouse racism and violence as a way of achieving their political objective of sabotaging the efforts of the Government.

Mr. Jagdeo reiterated the call for dialogue urging that the only way forward is through this process.

He castigated the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) for misleading youths and mobilising criminals in its philosophy of violence and terror to destabilise the Government.

Referring to the violence in the Middle East, the President observed that the experience there is testimony that violence does not resolve conflicts.

He exhorted party members to equip themselves with the relevant information and knowledge to defend the party and Government against those who are attempting to tarnish its image and sow confusion.

Clarifying the position of dialogue, inclusivity and power-sharing, the President made it clear that this does not mean sharing of power at the executive level. Rather, it has to do with the establishment of joint committees to deal with specific issues that are of national importance, he explained.

The PNC/R in March this year suspended the dialogue process, which the President began more than a year ago with Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, over perceived differences with the Government on the implementation of decisions taken during the talks.

Mr. Jagdeo said that while he is open to the debate on power-sharing, experience in other parts of the world, as in South Africa and Ireland, has shown that it is not a successful method of governance.

The President reminded the Congress that the philosophy of the party from its birth has always been a commitment to national unity and the construction of a peaceful and harmonious multi-ethnic society.

He challenged other political parties to match the spread of the PPP, which he said has solid representation and support from every region in Guyana.

"Which other party could match the spread of the People's Progressive Party?", he asked, to shouts of "None!" from delegates and observers. He added: "And you know why this so? Because we believe in all the people of Guyana. That has been the philosophy laid down by Dr. Cheddi Jagan and that is the path along which we will continue."

The President noted that since 1992 when the PPP came to office after free and fair elections for the first time in 28 years, every community has benefited from development regardless of race and declared that he is prepared to provide facts and figures to testify to that.

He reminded the Congress that it was the PNC which pauperised teachers and nurses and abandoned land distribution which would have benefited the ordinary people. The PNC, when it was in Government, instead gave the elite class large tracts of lands at incredibly cheap prices, he said.

He pointed out that it was during this Government's term of office that salaries of teachers and nurses were increased significantly, but conceded that because of financial constraints these have not attained the desired levels.

He noted too that it was under this Government that land distribution to ordinary people resumed, adding that acquiring a house can nurture positive changes in people.

The President told delegates and observers that during their deliberations and discussions the issue of security must feature prominently and that there is a need for everyone to become more security conscious and prepare people for the defence of democracy.

Touching on the difficult international economic environment caused by neo-liberalisation, the President said this situation has developed because of "this mad push to liberalisation where the necessary regulatory mechanisms" are not in place.

Consequently, there have been calls for a new "Global Financial Architecture" but this happens only when there is a crisis. After it is over the calls disappear, the President pointed out.

He said that liberalisation as espoused by the World Trade Organisation, does not take into consideration the variation of the size of economies, which necessitates different forms of trade.