Excerpts of the communique on the first of a planned series of meetings between Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, leader of the governing People's National Party, and Opposition Leader and head of the Jamaica Labour Party Edward Seaga, are published in a news report elsewhere in today's paper.

What is commendable about the Patterson-Seaga 'summit', is that it was so quickly agreed to and structured with key aides of their respective parties within two weeks of a general election that returned the PNP for an historic fourth consecutive term.

Although vote recounts have been taking place in a few of the 60 constituencies, there has been none of the wild claims or, worse, politically-inspired demonstrations that followed the decisive defeats of the PNC at elections in 1997 and 2001.

Putting country first above party and personal ambition is critical not only for Jamaica and Guyana, but all CARICOM states at this very critical phase of our history when it is most imperative to ensure a climate conducive to national social harmony, investors confidence, political stability and good governance.

Advisory Committee
Whatever may have been the reason or reasons to cause a delay, it is our understanding that a revised report from the three social partners involved in the promotion of a wider dialogue should be submitted by mid-week at the latest.

Headed by Dr. Peter DeGroot, head of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Social Partners Group, which comprises also the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Guyana Bar Association, has been working to have regular structured consultations involving the government, the parliamentary parties and civil society.

The nerve-wracking crime situation that requires involvement of all sections of the society has, understandably, been given priority attention. A top-level advisory committee has been proposed to dialogue with the government and opposition on how best to ensure a collective response to the threats from the criminals.

We look forward to the release of a promised joint statement that has been engaging the attention of the Social Partners Group. It is essential that there be a firm, precise commitment by all parties to work together in cleansing this society from the scourge of the criminal rampage that has affected all sections of Guyana, some clearly much more than others.

When the advisory committee of retired Chiefs of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Norman McLean and Joe Singh, and retired Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis formally begins to function, much would depend on the quality of cooperation received from the government and opposition.

A most worrying coincidence is that since the PNC/R leader suspended the dialogue with the President seven months ago, the criminal offensive has reached an unprecedented scale, in an out of Georgetown, with villages on the East Coast Demerara, and Buxton/Friendship in particular, becoming killing fields and areas of sheer terrorism.

The criminals must not be led to believe that they have individuals of influence and a network of collaborators to continue with their killings, armed robberies, brutalities, hijackings and other offences. The strongest possible message needs to be sent them by a meaningful, collective response.