A three-member delegation from civil society has been mandated to meet President Bharrat Jagdeo and PNC/R leader, Desmond Hoyte SC to take its viewpoint, as expressed in an advertisement, to them.
The advertisement appeared in Sunday's newspapers and was supported by a number of individuals and civic organisations. Both President Jagdeo and Hoyte have expressed a willingness to address issues to that could provide solutions to problems of national concern.
A statement issued after a meeting yesterday of civil society organisations and individuals at the Hotel Tower said that representatives of labour, business and law "would take the citizens' statement forward to the two main political parties to facilitate a re-engagement between the two in the context of article 13 of the Guyana Constitution which enshrines the principle of shared governance."
The representatives to take the initiative forward, Stabroek News understands are Nigel Hughes of the Guyana Bar Association, Dr Peter De Groot of the Private Sector Commission and Lincoln Lewis of the Guyana Trades Union Congress. The initiative would also be taken to the two other parliamentary parties.
The release said too that it was agreed to launch a nationwide signature campaign among various groups and individuals to have them endorse the statement published on Sunday.
The advertisement in Sunday's papers, indicated civil society's intention to exercise its right under Article 13 of the Constitution to be more active in the decision-making process of the country. The advertisement said that members of society regretted leaving this important function to the political parties. Among the organisations which support the advertisement are the Bar Association, the Guyana Shipping Association, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, the Guyana Rice Millers and Exporters Association, and the Private Sector Commission.
Attorney at law Vic Puran, who coordinated an earlier meeting at the Hotel Tower, said that the July 3 events, which resulted in two people being killed, innocent citizens being beaten and a number of business places being destroyed galvanized the group into action to assist in arresting the country's slide into anarchy.
The statement said that yesterday's meeting was attended "by a wider cross section of citizens and interest groups including a contingent of young people who all reported that it expressed sentiments widely held."