Government accuses PNCR of `anti-national behaviour'
Guyana Chronicle
July 17, 2004
THE government yesterday reacted to criticism of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s sharp censuring of plans by the European Union (EU) to chop guaranteed sugar prices by accusing the leadership of the main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) of “anti-national behaviour”.
Mr. Robert Persaud, Information Liaison to President Jagdeo, charged that the “most recent attacks against the President of Guyana by the leadership of the PNCR reflect its dilemma in finding substantive issues to criticise the administration or to offer alternative policies and positions.”
The Government Information Agency (GINA) said his comment was in response to PNCR criticism of Mr. Jagdeo's recent statement on a proposal to change the EU Sugar Regime under which Guyana and other sugar producers get guaranteed preferential prices for exports to the EU.
Persaud told GINA there was major concern over the PNCR leadership's continued anti-national stand.
He noted that the leaders of the PNCR seem to be offended by the President's expected advocacy and defence of Guyana's interest in light of a proposal to change the EU sugar regime, the agency reported.
“The PNCR has again shown its lack of concern for the wellbeing of Guyanese and growth of the national economy,” Persaud told GINA.
He added that as a responsible national leader, President Jagdeo cannot ignore the fact that the proposal to change the EU sugar regime, if implemented, would cost the national economy millions of US dollars.
He charged that the PNCR has not supported efforts to modernise the sugar industry or to make it more competitive on the world market.
“The PNCR stewardship of the sugar industry saw Guyana importing sugar,” he recalled.
“Perhaps, the PNCR leadership believes that by attacking the President of Guyana for his consistent representation of our national interest, it will be rewarded with overseas trips and perks,” he said.
He called on the PNCR leadership to stop its anti-national behaviour which he said has also seen an attempt to undermine the border policy with Mr. Robert Corbin's recent signing of an agreement with a Surinamese opposition party led by Desi Bouterse.
“The President of Guyana, while deeply appreciative of the continued support of the European Union and the wider international community, is, as always, committed to the national interest,” Persaud said.
In a statement Thursday, the PNCR said that while it did not see the EU proposal to reduce prices offered to sugar producers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping earlier than anticipated “as reflective of the interest of Guyana”, Mr. Jagdeo’s “intemperate attacks” on the EU were “undiplomatic and harmful” to the national interest.
“It is unfortunate that Mr. Jagdeo descended to the level of accusing the EU, in naked terms, of being untrustworthy and deceitful”, the PNCR said.
It noted that the EU is one of Guyana’s largest donors and economic partners and said that while “we should fight our case vigorously in the international trade arena”, this should be done in the “accepted mode and language of international diplomacy.”
“To do otherwise would be to do our case more harm than good”, it said.
Mr. Jagdeo has said that Guyana stands to lose US$35M annually from the sale of sugar if the proposal by the EU to reduce its sugar price to ACP producers by 20% by 2005 and 33% by 2007 becomes a reality.
He earlier this month told reporters that the indication by the EU in its recent proposal, was “more than an issue of sugar”, stressing that it was also an issue of “trust and bad faith” which undermines the guarantees contained in the Cotonou Agreement between the ACP and EU.
He explained that the EU had given the assurance that the present sugar regime under which Guyana and other ACP producers get guaranteed prices for sugar, would have remained in place until 2007.
He said it was disturbing that in the face of negotiations for a new economic partnership with the EU, a “new surprise was sprung” which “shocked me.”
Responding to the EU’s proposed compensation for the reduction in prices through the European Development Fund (EDF), the President was critical of the slow manner in which aid is provided, pointing out that it takes 90 days for invoices to be processed in Brussels.