No dialogue until decisions implemented - Hoyte
Stabroek News
July 16, 2002
PNC/R Leader Desmond Hoyte said last night that the full-page advertisement in the daily newspapers on the dialogue process was "a catalogue of half-truths and distortions."
In a letter to Stabroek News, Hoyte said his letters to President Bharrat Jagdeo on March 14 and April 23 set out the reasons for the pause in the dialogue and reiterated that the dialogue would not be resumed until President Jagdeo implements the decisions already taken. "That is my final position," Hoyte said.
And at a general members meeting at Congress Place on Sunday, the PNC/R said that party loyalty was of paramount importance and on matters of party policy there shall be one decision as decided by the relevant forum and articulated by the official or authorised spokesperson.
In a release issued yesterday, the PNC/R said the decision was made in the wake of recent events and in view of the rapidly deteriorating economic, political and social conditions in the country, at a general members meeting at Congress Place, Sophia on Sunday.
The PNC/R also decided it "has to maintain its resolute stance in the face of the PPP/C intransigence on matters of governance and in relation to the implementation of constitutional reform and decisions of the dialogue process."
Noting recent statements of civic organisations, the party expressed "its intent to be responsive to any approach by such organisations, which holds out hope for addressing and resolving the national problems."
Referring to the party's submission on constitutional reform, the PNC/R reiterated that in view of the inadequacies of the present system and practices of governance it would be prepared to explore forms of inclusive governance which it felt could benefit Guyanese.
Claiming that the PPP/C was attempting to target its leaders, the PNC/R said that it would stand firmly behind them and its members and provide them with adequate protection and representation in the face of any untoward attempts by the PPP/C. The PNC/R said that acts of aggression would not be tolerated.
The PNC/R also reaffirmed its commitment to multi-culturalism and to eschew any form of racism.
Stating that the party would not abandon militant protest as a legitimate form of political action so long as the situation warranted it and the PPP/C remains intransigent, the PNC said it stood ready to deal with any of its members who sought to perpetrate acts against any ethnic group, including attempts to perpetrate criminal activities under the cover of legitimate protest.
Party leader, Desmond Hoyte and Chairman Robert Corbin engaged the members in discussions and analyses of the current situation and the way forward, the release said. Members of the ten administrative regions were present.