PNC/R wants Guyana/Venezuela talks to spur E'bo development
Guyana Chronicle
February 19, 2004
THE People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) has expressed the hope that today's State visit to Guyana by the President of Venezuela, Mr. Hugo Chavez, will be productive and will facilitate the evolution of the relationship between Guyana and Venezuela in constructive and mutually beneficial ways.
The PNC/R, in a statement yesterday, said it is the party's profound hope that the discussions with the Government of Guyana are fruitful and that the visit of the Venezuelan Head of State will expedite the solution of the controversy "between our two countries in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Geneva Agreement."
"We hope that President (Bharrat) Jagdeo will use the visit to impress upon President Chavez the deep concern of the people of Guyana over the persistent pressure which he (President Chavez) and his Government have been exerting to deny legitimate economic development in Essequibo," the PNC/R urged.
The party said the visit of Mr. Chavez comes at a juncture in the history of Guyana when "we are troubled by the uncovering of serious violations of human rights and evidence of state sponsored death squads and murder."
The PNCR called on President Jagdeo and his government to respect the rule of law and to take immediate steps to restore confidence by the mounting of a credible, impartial and transparent investigation into the allegations of State sponsored murder and linkages to drug lords and organized crime. "In the circumstances, it is the moral duty and responsibility of the President to secure the resignation or vacation from office of the incumbent Minister of Home Affairs, who has been linked to these atrocities," that party posited.
According to the PNC/R, its greatest priority at this time "is the return of Guyana to the rule of law, the unmasking of all terrorists and state sponsored murderers and the bringing to justice of all members of death squads and their protectors."
"In the foregoing circumstances our party will have to evaluate the nature and depth of our participation in the activities organized by the Government surrounding the visit of Mr. Chavez," the PNC/R statement said.
In this regard, the PNC/R said it would like to make it clear that whatever action the party decides to take must not be seen as implying any disrespect to the President of our neighbouring republic.
"The PNCR will, however, not participate in any charade that attempts to mask the gravity of the current national situation," the PNC/R contended. "As is well known, the PNCR has a long and consistent record of working towards the development of good relations with Venezuela and the peaceful and successful resolution of all issues that affect those relations," the main Opposition Party stated.