At a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat in Georgetown, Mr Jagdeo said he sent the letter yesterday and prefers to withhold comments on the process until he meets with Mr. Corbin.

He said Mr. Corbin had earlier written to him reaffirming that he was available for discussion with the President on constitutional matters.

"We have more appropriate ways of resolving differences, if there're any, and...I'm going to respect that," he told reporters.

He did not specify whether a meeting was likely before year-end, but implied that his position on readiness to meet with Mr. Corbin to iron out constitutional issues and move their dialogue and Guyana forward had not changed.

President Jagdeo remained optimistic about appointing the stalled Police, Public, Judicial and Teaching Service Commissions before the year ends. "I feel strongly about this because public servants and policemen and teachers...are not being promoted because of this unusual situation that we have. And it can't continue much longer," he stated.

The President said he hopes to settle the issue of the appointment of Deputy Police Commissioner (Acting), Winston Felix, to Commissioner so he could take office by January 1, 2004.

There is an informal agreement for the President to consult with the Opposition Leader who is to nominate one of three persons to serve on each of the bodies.

President Jagdeo late November said that two months had passed since the nominations were to have been submitted. He said in light of the effect of the delay, he may make the appointments only in accordance with the Constitution.