PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo’s appointment of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Keith Massiah, to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into allegations against Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, demonstrates “the flexibility and spirit of compromise” of the PPP/C administration, a statement from the PPP said yesterday.
“The Party has taken note of the replacement of Mr. Ivan Crandon by former Attorney General and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Keith Messiah whose credentials are known to all Guyanese, in particular those within the legal community.
“This action by President Jagdeo once again demonstrated the flexibility and spirit of compromise of the PPP/ Civic administration on fundamental issues of governance and due process,” the statement said.
The full text of the statement reads:
“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) welcomes the searing in of the members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into allegations of Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj’s involvement in death squad operations.
The Party has taken note of the replacement of Mr. Ivan Crandon by former Attorney General and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Keith Messiah whose credentials are known to all Guyanese, in particular those within the legal community.
This action by President Jagdeo once again demonstrated the flexibility and spirit of compromise of the PPP/ Civic administration on fundamental issues of governance and due process.
The Party is confident that the swearing in of the Commissions members headed by Mr. Ian Chang and included Mr. Norman Mc Lean would pave the way for an end to further speculations and accusations of opposition forces regarding the allegations made against the Minister.
The PPP has taken note also of the continuing allegations by the PNC in its latest media release implicating the PPP in the killing of George Bacchus despite the fact that the police investigations have unearthed evidence which has nailed the lies of the PNC regarding the involvement of the PPP in the matter.
The Party is certain that this rascality of the PNCR in blaming the PPP/Civic administration for wrongdoings for which there is not even an iota of evidence will again be exposed as in the case of the allegations made against the Party in the George Bacchus murder
The PPP calls on the PNC/R to apologise to the people of Guyana and to the Party for the scandalous allegations made in an earlier release when it accused the Party of involvement in the murder of George Bacchus and of trying “to cover its tracks”.
The PPP wishes to reiterate its commitment to the rule of law and to due process and looks forward to the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry. We call on all citizens with relevant information to support the work of this Inquiry.
The Party also commends President Bharrat Jagdeo for the determination and resolve shown in advancing the work of the Commission, notwithstanding the attempts of the PNCR to frustrate the process.”