The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) adopted a resolution at its 27th Congress last weekend which supported inclusiveness as a permanent factor in the governance of Guyana and, as such, urged a resumption of dialogue to facilitate the idea.
“To this end, we support the dialogue process and urge its resumption as soon as possible so that the process of constitutional reform can be completed so as to facilitate the establishment of the institutions which would advance the process of inclusiveness. The resumption of the process of dialogue holds the key to the resolution of immediate issues relating to insecurities, inclusiveness, stability, economic and social development,” the party stated in the resolution.
The dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and PNC/R Leader Desmond Hoyte was suspended by the PNC/R because it was unhappy with the way decisions reached were being implemented.
The PPP said it recognised the insecurities in the society, including ethnic insecurities, derived from Guyana’s history of colonialism, poverty and political opportunism.
The Congress was of the view that the most effective means of reducing all insecurities in Guyana is to work towards the elimination of poverty.
The Congress examined the political situation in Guyana and recognised there were threats to the democratic freedoms and social gains by violence, including ethnic violence against Indo-Guyanese and members of the Guyana Police Force, terrorism and other unlawful activities.
“The People’s Progressive Party condemns efforts to destabilise the lawfully elected government and urges the government to maintain maximum vigilance, to strengthen the security forces, to encourage more community policing, to speed up the procedures for granting firearm licences, and to pursue armed gangs to better protect law abiding citizens,” the resolution stated.
The Congress recognised the difficulties being faced by the rice, sugar, and bauxite industries and supported the efforts of the government to assist the industries, workers and their families.
The party said it has steadfastly stood at the side of the Guyanese working people and has consistently defended their interests.
The Congress noted the economic success which has been achieved by the prudent management of resources under conditions of recession in developed countries and depressed commodity prices.
In the resolution, the party urged support for accelerated assistance and increased aid to the African countries and Third World countries, such as Guyana, which have been adversely affected by globalisation, world recession, protectionism, reduced commodity prices, reduced access to foreign markets, terrorism both foreign and domestic, increasing crime, drug smuggling, HIV/AIDS and environmental degradation.
“We urge that the policies of the international financial institutions be guided more by poverty reduction measures and development policies rather than the failed neo-liberal principles of structural adjustment, even though we recognise the necessity for sound financial and monetary principles,” the resolution stated.
The PPP condemned the September 11 World Trade Centre and Pentagon terrorist attacks on the United States and supported all measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We believe that unless a firm stand is taken against all forms of terrorism, including domestic terrorism as is being experienced in Guyana and many other countries, our fragile democracies will be severely challenged resulting in the destruction of our social gains,” the party said.