The gathering at State House was addressed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, attesting to the seriousness and importance the administration attaches to inclusive governance and its sincerity to continue along the path of good governance which it has pursued since 1992 when it acceded to office.

In his presentation, the President noted the long tradition of his party in promoting constitutional reform, self-rule, democracy and racial unity.

According to President Jagdeo, the party's record on these fronts has been consistent and cannot be challenged. The President outlined the history of his party's efforts to promote constitutional and democratic government and detailed the many steps the PPP/C administration has taken to promote good governance in Guyana.

The President made it clear that what was important to any process of good governance was trust and goodwill.

No model of governance will result in political cooperation unless there is trust and goodwill between political parties. These are the pillars upon which a true participatory process between the government and the other principal actors in the society is built.

Unless there is trust, unless there is goodwill, the best of systems and the noblest of intentions will fail us.

Inclusivity in other words requires first and foremost a culture of cooperation, compromise and accommodation.

But these cannot be achieved with the wave of a magic wand.

It is only when all the parties in the country can sit down in a respectful and cordial atmosphere to debate and settle differences, instead of pursuing destructive

confrontational politics, can trust be developed.

And only when there is trust can any sustainable basis be laid for the larger goal of unity.

Building trust takes time but it is these time-honoured processes that result in lasting and meaningful progress.

Given the history of the relationship between the government and opposition in our country, it is to be expected that the process of building trust will take time -- time and patience but more so goodwill and good sense.

In recognition of this reality the Government has proposed a number of initiatives, which can be considered as small steps towards a larger goal.

These are confidence-building measures, which if embraced and built upon can lay the basis for more fruitful forms of political cooperation.

Among the measures announced are establishing means to enhance the work of parliamentarians.

A meaningful parliament is not just one in which the opposition feels that they have a say but equally one in which they can have the resources and facilities to give the type of representation their constituents deserve.

The President has once again, like he did when he won the last election, extended another hand of friendship. His statesmanship in these difficult times must once again be saluted.