Implementation of agreements contained in the communiqué signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin, is ongoing through discussions between the high representatives of the Government and the main opposition party, the People's national Congress/Reform (PNC/R).
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his weekly news conference last Friday reported that the two sides have achieved much in the process of addressing concerns. However, some outstanding issues remain to be resolved. These include the appointment of the service and rights commissions, but both sides acknowledged the constitutional restraints in relation to this issue, Dr. Luncheon said.
He noted that the resolution of outstanding issues has mostly been held back because of Parliament being presently in recess rather than because of differences between the two sides, adding though that some of the Parliamentary Committees are functioning despite the recess.
The HPS pointed that agreement has now been reached that the monitoring mechanism will produce a single report on the progress of the ongoing dialogue with respect to the implementation of agreements contained in the communiqué. Earlier, there was difference on this issue, with the PNC/R suggesting that each side should have its own report.
There has also been greater clarity as regards the basis for appointing boards, Dr. Luncheon said, adding that discussions on this matter should conclude today.
Meanwhile, the HPS said with the vacating of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from Parliament Buildings much attention is being given to build capacity in the Parliamentary Office both in human resources and equipment.
The communiqué was signed in April this year by the President and Leader of the Opposition, effectively bringing to an end the political impasse existing between the two sides for almost a year.
At the conclusion of the signing of the document Mr. Corbin declared that it was not an occasion for victors and vanquished, stating that there are no losers in such a process. "There are only winners, and I think the winners are the people of Guyana," he affirmed.
President Jagdeo described the occasion as a "landmark" for Guyana and considered the agreement as having great importance for the new constitution. He also said that he hopes that such engagements should not become an event but the norm. (Chamanlall Naipaul)