In an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Friday, Dr. Luncheon clarified misconceptions that were fed to the public by the people’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) at its last weekly Media Conference.

“The office of the President wants to set the records straight on President Jagdeo’s trip to the United States of America. The consistently libelous and misinforming PNCR, has seen it fit to attempt to ridicule the Administration’s intention behind the visit to Washington D.C. and New York,” he said.

The PNC accused President Jagdeo of going on a “ confused mission to the USA.”

The President on Tuesday last left for Washington D.C to met officials of the World Bank and the IMF on Thursday to talk about Guyana’s economic and social performance.

Assistance for social and economic programmes that would tremendously improve the quality of life for all Guyanese is expected to be forthcoming in the near future from the two international funding agencies.

On Wednesday the President met the administrator of the United States Agency for International development (USAID) Mr. Andrew Natsios and Mr Randy Quarles, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury who also has special responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean. On Wednesday President Jagdeo also met with the Vice President of the Inter-American Development bank (IDB), Mr. Dennis Flannery.

During these meetings, the current portfolios for assistance were reviewed, as well as possible assistance on various projects to be implemented in Guyana over the next three years were discussed.

“It follows established routines between Government and donor on reaching agreements on bilateral financial matters. No doubt the PNCR will remain silent when the President and the Donors disclose the outcome of that visit to Washington,” Dr. Luncheon said.

The main opposition party is contending that the Guyanese Leader is using the overseas trip to engage the persons who are said to be involved in corrupt practices-that is the New Global Consult Inc. of Liberty Avenue. This firm was awarded the contract to print the Guyana Law Books, for which the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Mr. Ganga Persaud was surcharged $500.000 because of financial irregularities.

“The PNCR’s allegations about the visit to New York Are indeed scandalous. This is a visit provided for by the Treasury and it involves the Consulate in New York in its planning. The firm, New Global Consult Inc. had no role in organising the President’s visit and for that matter, nor has any public funds been paid to that firm for the failed award of publishing the Laws of Guyana. Really the President has never missed an opportunity to meet Guyanese whenever he visits countries and communities where they dwell and arrangements when logically made to facilitate such meetings in the USA,” Dr. Luncheon clarified.