Former US President Jimmy Carter's visit to Guyana on Wednesday is a clear indication of his deep and continuing interest in the overall well-being of Guyanese and in the democratic renewal process.
This was the view of the PPP after he met with party officials, yesterday.
He also met with the PNCR and the Ethnic Relations Committee, yesterday.
President Carter met with PPP General Secretary, Donald Ramotar and a Central Committee delegation.
"The PPP recalls with extreme gratitude, the important role played by President Jimmy Carter and the Carter Centre in the restoration of the democracy after over two decades of authoritarian rule. "Were it not for the presence of President Carter in the country at the time of the elections in October 1992, the electoral process might once again have been disrupted, as was the case in the previous elections."
It also mentioned the important role played by the Carter Centre in the electoral processes and the strengthening of democracy in subsequent elections, especially in terms of the institutional strengthening and capacity building at the Guyana elections due in 2006.
The party said that it is aware of the support given by the Carter Centre in other important areas of national development, including the provision of technical and other forms of assistance in the earning of stakeholders' contributions to the preparation and formulation of the country's National Development Plan.
This document provided the framework within which the Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme and its entire developmental goals are situated.
The press release stated that the PPP and the Guyanese society, owes a special debt of gratitude to President Carter and the Carter Centre for the priceless services it has provided and continues to provide.
"Regrettably, democracy in Guyana still remains fragile as a consequence of attempts by opposition forces to disrupt the democratic processes, and their refusal to accept the verdict of the Guyanese people as was evident in the elections of 1997 when the PPP/Civic alliance was motivated in the interest of peace and stability to agree to a reduction of it's term in office by two years, despite having won the elections that were confirmed free and fair by local and overseas observers, including the Carter Centre.
"In fact, all elections including October 1992, had been marred by violence and disturbances arranged by the opposition parties." The release said. It is the expectation of the Party that the Carter Centre will remain involved in Guyana, the PPP stated.
In its statement, the PNCR reported that Mr. Jimmy Carter paid a courtesy call on the Leader of the People's National Congress Reform and Parliamentary Opposition, Robert H. O. Corbin, M.P., at Congress Place, Sophia.
Accompanying President Carter were Mr. Jason Calder and Mr. David Carroll of the Carter Centre.
The PNCR delegation included Chairman (ag), Mr. Vincent Alexander; General Secretary, Oscar Clarke and Members of Parliament, Mrs. Clarissa Riehl, Mr. Lance Carberry, Mr. Stanley Ming and Mr. Deryck Bernard.
The party said that President Carter opined that the purpose of his visit was to make an assessment of the situation to determine whether, and in what way, the Carter Centre can be of further help to Guyana. During the discussions, Mr. Corbin brought President Carter up-to-date with the current issues affecting Guyana, it added.
"Mr. Corbin highlighted the Death Squad issue; the Communiqué and Follow-up Agreement; Governance issues; and General/ Local Government elections.
"President Carter indicated that he hopes to have a clearer understanding of the Guyana scenario by the end of his visit.