FORMER United States President Jimmy Carter is due here next week at the invitation of President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Mr Carter, who played a central role in Guyana's return to free and fair elections at the October 5, 1992 polls, and the restoration of democracy here, is coming for talks with President Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin.
In a statement from the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, he said he wants to assess whether the centre "might be able to make further contributions to the improved welfare of all Guyanese."
He said he had accepted an invitation from President Jagdeo to visit and has discussed the trip with Corbin on the telephone.
The main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) says it welcomes the visit by Carter on August 11-13.
At the party's weekly press conference Thursday, Chairman, Mr Vincent Alexander said Carter's visit comes at a time when "the issues of poor governance, failure to implement agreements made under the Constructive Engagement, the abuse of the Parliament by the government, rampant corruption and graft, and links by the state to organised crime continue to be sore issues."
President Jagdeo announced last month that he had invited President Carter to Guyana, while he was on a visit to the United States, to assess how the Carter Center could remain engaged in Guyana despite the closure of its office here.
Carter managed to broker key electoral reforms between the late President Desmond Hoyte and Opposition parties, which led to the October 5, 1992 elections, the first free and fair polls here in almost 30 years.
Before then, Mr. Hoyte and his People's National Congress (PNC) had steadfastly resisted implementing changes in the electoral system that had long been characterised by widespread fraud and rigging.
The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) won the October 5 elections, ending some 28 years in power by the PNC.
Carter noted that the Carter Center has been involved in Guyana for more than a decade.
"In that time, we have observed elections, supported the formulation of the country's National Development Strategy, and helped bolster the judicial system and strengthen citizens' organisations to make a greater contribution to public policy", he said.
"I look forward to meeting with President Jagdeo, Mr. Corbin, parliament members, and representatives of civil society and donor countries to hear all views on the challenges facing Guyana", he added.
President Jagdeo said he had thanked Carter “for his involvement over the years, first of all through observing elections, working to strengthen the electoral process, and the Carter Center support for the National Development Strategy".
According to President Jagdeo, at the meeting he requested continued support from the Carter Center and Carter himself.
He said he asked that the Carter Center remain engaged in Guyana in the National Development Strategy and the run-up to the 2006 general elections.
Mr. Jagdeo said he hopes the Carter Center would be among organisations observing the 2006 general elections.
"I also extended an invitation to Mr. Carter to visit Guyana and do an assessment of the situation and not necessarily the current situation as it holds between the Government and the Opposition, the controversy, but generally about whether the Carter Center would remain engaged in those areas I mentioned before," he said.
Corbin in April this year broke off structured talks with the President, citing differences with the government and allegations that Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj was involved in the `Death Squad' blamed for targeting known and dangerous criminals during the crime spree in 2002-2003.
Gajraj has denied the allegations and has proceeded on leave to allow an impartial investigation into the charges by a Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Jagdeo.