Commonwealth envoy Sir Paul due here to push dialogue
Stabroek News
February 15, 2003
The Commonwealth Secretary General's representative Sir Paul Reeves is scheduled to arrive here today to continue his efforts to facilitate a resumption of the political dialogue between the government and the opposition PNCR and to facilitate the latter's return to the National Assembly.
The PNCR withdrew from the National Assembly almost a year ago over what it said was the non-implementation of decisions made during the Jagdeo/Hoyte dialogue process and the government's failure to implement agreed constitutional reforms. Lady Reeves and Judith Pestaina, a special adviser to the Commonwealth Secretariat on Caribbean affairs will be coming with Sir Paul on this trip, his third since his appointment last year by the Commonwealth Secretary General. The Commonwealth Secretary General's assistance was sought last year during a CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in July.
During his stay, expected to last about seven to ten days, Sir Paul will continue his discussions with President Bharrat Jagdeo and with newly elected PNCR leader, Robert Corbin.
Chuks Ihekaibeya who is helping to facilitate Sir Paul's mandate and has been here since last month preparing for his visit, told Stabroek News Sir Paul is coming from the United States of America where he has had discussions with the Organisation of American States and the United Nations Development Programme, both of which have a keen interest in the success of his mission.
Since his arrival here Ihekaibeya has had several meetings with President Jagdeo, Corbin and other government and party officials about the dialogue process and exploring ways of helping the PNCR's return to parliament.
Ihekaibeya said that he had enjoyed much co-operation and support from all of them and that this underlined the importance given to the Commonwealth's mission here. (Patrick Denny)
