Talks unlikely before Jagdeo’s China trip
Stabroek News
March 20, 2003
Haste is being made slowly in settling the arrangements for the meeting between President Jagdeo and PNCR leader Robert Corbin even though Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon told reporters yesterday that those making the arrangements for the meeting were conscious of the commitment of their respective leaders.
It has been over 45 days since Jagdeo first sent a letter inviting the newly elected Corbin for talks. There has since been an exchange of positions on the various issues, which the PNCR wants discussed, but as yet there are no indications that the meeting will be held any time soon, even though a meeting is planned to look at putting the necessary arrangements in place in anticipation of an agreement being reached on some of the issues related to the parliament.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Luncheon said at a press briefing yesterday “the Cabinet holds out great anticipation that the planned meeting would take place within days.” However Stabroek News understands that the PNCR is still studying the PPP’s March 14 response to its positions on the various issues it would like to be placed on the agenda of the meeting.
The PNCR positions were contained in a letter PNCR Parliamentary Chief Whip Lance Carberry gave to President Jagdeo’s representative, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Reepu Daman Persaud, on February 25. As it is, it seems unlikely that any meeting would be held before President Jagdeo’s departure for China set for Monday.
Stabroek News understands that besides consulting with the PNCR, Carberry has to consult with the other opposition parties as the list of issues it wants tabled was developed in consultation with them.
Among the issues the PNCR wants discussed is the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force and on which there wasagreement at the all-party consultations on crime with the Social Partners before the process was aborted in December.
Other issues include the deteriorating situation in the bauxite communities, the national security situation; the unresolved issues which led to the parliamentary impasse; the implementation of the decisions of the Jagdeo/Hoyte dialogue process; the deteriorating situation nationally with special emphasis on the absence of job opportunities for youth.
The PNCR had also listed the electricity situation as an issue, and had returned to the National Assembly on February 19, to move a motion calling for a freeze on electricity rates until the government had laid over all the agreements reached with the private investor. The government, using its majority, defeated the motion.
About the timing of the talks, PNCR officials stress the need for careful preparation to ensure that the issues before the two leaders are clearly defined and the engagement is productive.
They say that the last thing the Guyanese people need at this time is a photo opportunity.
