The British High Commission is to issue a statement today about the conference on Guyana to be held in the United Kingdom from July 7-10, arrangements for which have caused a diplomatic spat.
Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud said the statement could very well have a bearing on the government’s decision to participate in the conference organised by the British government and being held at Wilton Park, the West Sussex conference centre.
Persaud said there were ongoing discussions with the British High Commission and that these discussions were being conducted in a manner that reflected the friendly relations between the two governments.
There is widespread speculation that the government’s concern about the conference led to both President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Sam Hinds absenting themselves from a reception hosted by British High Commis-sioner, Stephen Hiscock last week. Diplomatic sources described the absence of the President and PM as highly unusual.
Persaud explained the President’s absence as being due to a previously scheduled appointment. However, President Jagdeo is known to attend several receptions in an evening.
Persaud told Stabroek News last week that the government had concerns about the focus and objective of the conference.
Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon later told the Catholic Standard that because of its concerns the government had decided not to participate in the conference. Persaud explained the apparent conflict between his and Dr Luncheon’s statement as being due to the Cabinet Secretary not disclosing that there were discussions taking place between the government and the High Commission.
Persaud added, in a statement issued by the Government Information Agency, “The Guyana Government has and will always support non-governmental, local and international attention and support, which can have a positive impact on the domestic, political and economic environment.”
“Also, the Government continues to value the support rendered and the interest shown by the British Government in Guyana’s development.”
Former UK Secretary for Inter-national Develop-ment, Clare Short had proposed the conference last October as a way of trying to break the political impasse between the PPP/C and the PNCR.
But since then, the PNCR has elected a new leader, Robert Corbin and the President and Corbin signed a communiqué on May 6 that paved the way for the PNCR to resume their seats in parliament and implement a number of constitutional and parliamentary reforms.
The government contends that it was not consulted about the programme for the conference given the new situation and is unclear about its status and objective.