Speaking to soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force at a Christmas lunch yesterday at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, the President said, "Private Thompson who is resting abroad and recovering, I would like to wish him a speedy recovery."

The soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the head, resulting in a compound fracture of the skull, while patrolling the Buxton Railway Embankment on the evening of Novermber 23. Thomas was believed to have been injured when gunmen opened fire around 18:30 hours shortly after throwing a grenade in some bushes aback of the village. It is reported that he was shot by unknown gunmen who escaped.

The injured soldier was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where emergency surgery was performed. His condition was said to be stable, but critical, and from the initial surgical intervention, it was quite clear that the definitive treatment was not offered in Guyana, The military, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Guyana Defence Board effected a medical evacuation.

The Private left Guyana on November 27 for further treatment in Brazil. This decision to fly the rank abroad resulted from the Acting Chief of Staff of the GDF Colonel Edward Collins' meeting with the parents of Private Thomas, during which he assured them that the army will seek the best possible treatment for the rank. To this end, the 20 year old had undergone additional treatment and is now recovering.

Expressing the Administration's and Guyana's appreciation for the work done by the military to maintain law and order in 2002, the Guyanese Leader commended the sacrifices made by soldiers and policemen during the past year.

"The military enjoys my full support. I know that many people out there do not recognise the sacrifices that people in uniform have to make. They are out there while others are merry making. You have to safeguard the peace and security in this country, and for that, I wish to extend the gratitude of our country," he said.

On this note, President Jagdeo acknowledged that many of these officers become targets for criminal elements within society simply because of their profession, and for this reason, many innocent lives have been taken recently in the crime upsurge.

"I am very concerned about what has happened. The Police are in the front line. We have lost a number of policemen this year. In the history of the Police Force we have lost some 25 police men, and this year alone we lost about one third of that, because their uniforms make them a target," the President said.

Noting the seriousness of this situation, the Head of State urged the soldiers present at the lunch to strengthen their resolve to fight crime at every level, since the criminals have no regard for Guyanese.