Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday said that recent statements originating from Hoyte and Granger are "inexcusable" given the current crime wave.

Members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are concentrated on the East Coast, where Luncheon said criminals are in hideout.

Commander Gary Best of the GDF on Monday said that residents of Buxton, where the Army maintains a presence, are hesitant to provide information about criminals in their area.

He said that the "booty" from criminal activities is shared with residents of South Buxton and the residents as a result keep their mouth shut.

Luncheon said Granger "has continued his biased and unfocused commentaries about the military under Commander in Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo".

He said that among other things, Granger has spoken about the Army's involvement in counter-crime operations at Buxton.

Luncheon told reporters yesterday that Granger fails to understand that "Guyanese have expectations of their Army...and in times of crisis, Guyanese turn understandably, to the Army".

He said Granger mouthed "some utterly unbelievable judgements about he Army's unsuitability to deal with this crisis and he offers dire forecasts about the outcome".

He said that worse yet, Granger comes over as being "ethnically insensitive and unmoved by constitutional provisions on the composition of the Disciplined Forces".

Hoyte has continued with his "characteristic style", claiming that the military was breaking the law in providing support to law enforcement agencies in their fight against criminals, Luncheon stated.

"His utter insensitivity and disregard of context seemingly reflects his total abandonment of electoral politics and is more a statement about the end game to which he has committed the PNC and Guyana", he said.

He added that Hoyte is also on record as advising "the anti-social elements in Buxton that their behavior and actions must be continued until the Government is removed".

"Is Mr. Hoyte advising the Army, `Go back to your barracks whilst Rome burns?", Luncheon asked.

The GDF maintains a patrol in the Buxton area and has been doing community work in the village to reduce tension.