In a statement to mark the second anniversary of the PPP/Civic victory at the March 19, 2001 elections, it said this was "a victory of all those struggling for unity among all our peoples."

"Today we are convinced that our line for national unity is the only viable option.

"It is the building of such unity that will lead our country to true prosperity. The PPP/Civic will always remain loyal to the cause of national unity", it said.

The March 19, 2001 "victory gives hope that we are reaching that objective", the main partner in the governing PPP/C alliance said.

It commended the security forces for "maintaining law and order even in the face of extreme provocation" and called on all Guyanese to "guard against those who seem bent on derailing the democratic process and dividing this multi-ethnic country of ours."

The PPP recalled "the violence and terror unleashed by the PNC (People's National Congress) following its defeat in the elections of 1997 and 2001."

"It is worth recalling that the PNC refused to accept the results of the 1997 elections even though the results were endorsed by local and international observers including the well-respected Carter Center and the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Observer Group", the statement said.

"An audit of the election results by CARICOM confirmed the victory of the PPP/Civic. The PNC refused to accept the findings of the audit results and took to the streets. This eventually led to the CARICOM-brokered Herdmanston Accord which reduced the PPP/Civic's term in office from five to three years," it noted.

It pointed out that the PPP/Civic again won the March 19, 2001 elections, this time under the Presidency of the youthful Bharrat Jagdeo.

"The PNC, true to form, again took to the streets claiming that the electoral process was flawed despite the full endorsement of local and international observers", the PPP said.

"Despite the setbacks and destabilisation attempts aimed at making the country `ungovernable', the PPP/Civic administration pressed on with its developmental agenda recording substantial gains in the working and living conditions of the Guyanese people. Unable to fault the ruling party on its record of progress, the opposition PNC Reform has resorted to lies, distortions and half-truths to hoodwink the people of Guyana", it charged.

The PPP said it is not unmindful of the violence that has engulfed the country in the past years with apparent political undercurrents.

The "demonisation" of law enforcement officers and the "glorification" of criminal elements has effectively created the context for an escalation of criminal activities, it said.