IN A release dated July 17, 2002, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has emphatically condemned all direct and indirect racial attacks whether they are physical, verbal or otherwise. The party has also warned that the situation in the country should be brought under control quickly, if not, the consequences would be disastrous. The Party is appealing to all Guyanese of goodwill to join a crusade to save the country from further pain.

The following is the text of the WPA statement:
The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has noted with interest and growing concern the recent political developments. We feel that if the situation is not quickly brought under control, the consequences would be disastrous for our already crisis-ridden country. It is with this in mind that we urge all Guyanese of goodwill to join a crusade to save Guyana from further pain.

The WPA wishes to restate its historical commitment to a multiracial Guyana in which the working people and all interest groups of all races are treated equally and are guaranteed a stake in shaping the country’s destiny. Towards this end, we roundly condemn all direct and indirect racial attacks whether physical, verbal or otherwise. We also note with horror that many of these attacks are targeted at defenceless people in particular Indo-Guyanese, women and children and others. These gross human rights violations can no longer be tolerated. We call on the two major parties not only to distance themselves from such behaviour, but also to actively campaign against it.

The WPA continues to believe that no single party or race can or should govern at the exclusion of others. In this regard we urge the abolition of the winner-take-all system for one that ensures an equitable distribution of the power of decision-making. We therefore reiterate our long-held position that Executive Power Sharing is one of the most viable options available. While this option has been almost scornfully dismissed we regret that chosen options have rapidly proven ineffective. The virtual refusal to examine ways to power sharing does not detract from the promise it holds for socio-political peace and stability and the development of a genuine national community.

For the immediate future and the short term, the WPA welcomes the recent initiative taken by Civil Society Group and other similar initiatives to launch a national campaign for shared governance. The WPA stands ready to contribute to this process but cautions that any decisions arrived at must have the full confidence of the multiracial masses.

While the WPA condemns all manifestations of lawlessness, it notes that the actions of sections of the coercive arms of the State have helped to exacerbate the situation. In this connection, the WPA calls for a thorough investigation of the operations of the Target Special Squad particularly in light of the revelation in the Thomas Carroll case. Our objection to extra judicial killings whether state sponsored or from other quarters remains constant and we make bold to urge the wisdom of commonsense. If each side remains rigid the result will be explosion, not reconciliation.

Regarding the July 3rd outrage, the WPA supports prosecution of those suspected of being responsible for the crimes committed, but questions the familiar resort to treason charges. Failure to hold enquiries and to take timely appropriate measures should not be corrected in this way.

The WPA wishes to commend all those ordinary citizens who are contributing to bringing about some degree of normalcy. In this regard, we salute those Buxtonians who carried out the recent courageous act of capturing the criminals who robbed the gas station. This gives hope.