The envoy met the President Monday, the official confirmed.

He yesterday met Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte and several top officials of his People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) at the party's Congress Place headquarters.

Hoyte told a news conference yesterday that during the meeting, the PNC/R team briefed Sir Paul on the political, economic and other national issues such as the security situation, the crime wave, the "ineffectual" Police Force, the functions of Parliament, and why the economy is in shambles.

"...We got the impression he was on a learning mission", Hoyte said.

He said there seemed to be no specific mandate, but that Sir Paul's involvement may be in a very broad way, and likely to be long-term.

He added: "With all these problems afflicting this country, ultimately, the problems of Guyana must be solved by Guyanese...We cannot be unmindful of the role of civil society."

The other members of Hoyte's team at the meeting were Mr. Robert Corbin, Ms. Clarissa Riehl, Mr. Deryck Bernard, Mr. Oscar Clarke, Dr. Faith Harding, Mr. Lance Carberry and Mr. Jerome Khan.

A Commonwealth Secretariat release Monday said McKinnon was in Guyana in early July and met President Jagdeo and Hoyte.

He has since remained in touch with them and has followed recent developments in the country and both have welcomed Reeves' appointment, the release said.

The release reported McKinnon as saying, "I continue to be concerned over the situation in Guyana and Commonwealth good offices have always been on offer.

"I am pleased that Sir Paul will be able to apply his considerable experience to help restore political dialogue and promote national reconciliation in Guyana."

Reeves has had a distinguished career. A former Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand, he was Governor General of New Zealand from 1985 to 1990. In 1994, he was Deputy Leader of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the South African elections, and in 1996 he led the Commonwealth Observer Group to the Ghana elections.

From 1995-1997, he chaired the Fiji Constitutional Review Commission.

Reeves is being assisted by two senior officials of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mrs. Judith Pestaina and Mr. Kosi Latu.

President Jagdeo and Hoyte started talks in April last year, but Hoyte suspended the dialogue in March, 2002 over differences on implementation of agreements reached.

The Government has said progress has been made in implementing agreements and civil society, including religious and business groups, and western embassies based here have called for resumption of the dialogue.