THE decision by PNCR Leader Robert Corbin to discontinue his dialogue with President Bharrat Jagdeo has met with disappointment by the ruling PPP/C.
But PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar said Mr. Corbin's decision was hardly surprising.
"We're very disappointed that Mr. Corbin has taken that position on his dialogue with President Jagdeo," Mr. Ramotar responded yesterday. "But it is nonetheless hardly surprising. True to form, the PNC/R has always been the one to break off talks, absent itself from a forum, or in other ways try to frustrate efforts to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to development."
In an address to the nation on Wednesday, Mr. Corbin, who is also Leader of the Opposition of Guyana, said that "based on our recent experience with constructive engagement, we will not engage with the President on the same basis as before. The situation in our country demands that we must establish a much wider, broader and deeper starting point..."
Mr. Corbin cited the non-implementation of decisions reached between Government and Opposition and questioned the seriousness of President Jagdeo's statements that he was open to continued engagement.
President Jagdeo said at a news conference yesterday that he would respond directly to Mr. Corbin's address about the constructive engagement process later on.
At the level of the ruling party, Mr. Ramotar said the PPP/C doesn't believe the PNCR wants a normal situation to prevail in the country.
Mr. Ramotar said it was also very significant that the main opposition party seemed to choose to break off talks on governance and inclusiveness when violent crimes appeared to be on the rise.
"They are exposing themselves more and more as being opposed to the creation and maintenance of a political atmosphere that is conducive to national development," Mr. Ramotar added.