PPP/C restates zero tolerance on corruption
-Ramotar for US Democratic Party Convention
Stabroek News
July 24, 2004
The PPP/Civic restated yesterday that it is totally intolerant of corruption and has set up mechanisms to deal with such issues.
The party issued this statement in response to a PNCR press release, which made certain allegations about the PPP/C government officials' involvement with respect to suspect exports of wildlife.
Reading the statement at Freedom House yesterday, PPP/C General Secretary Donald Ramotar said the Integrity Commission and the strengthening of the Auditor General's Office were executed to deal with such issues, measures which the PNC refused to take during its 28 years in office.
He added that the party concurs with President Bharrat Jagdeo's position that Parliament is the correct and proper forum to deal with issues of national concern and while the doors for dialogue are always open, the National Assembly should be the supreme authority to pronounce on matters of national importance. The President made these remarks in relation to the dialogue he had been conducting with PNCR Leader Robert Corbin. The dialogue ended when Corbin pulled out citing dissatisfaction. Another reason given for the PNCR's withdrawal was the administration's approach to the death squad allegations levelled against Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj.
The PPP/C called on the PNCR to stop "playing politics with the lives of Guyanese people and focus instead on issues of substance."
The party declared that it is time for the PNCR to re-enter Parliament and make a more constructive contribution to the development process initiated by the current PPP/C administration. The PNCR has boycotted Parliament in recent months but returned recently for the session dealing with the Disciplined Forces Commission.
The PNCR had also expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's stance on shared governance as well as the failure of the parties to come to an agreement regarding an appropriate electoral system for local and national elections.
Meanwhile, the PPP/C announced that Ramotar has been invited to attend the convention of the US Democratic Party scheduled for next weekend in Boston, USA. The opportunity would be used by the general secretary to develop and strengthen ties with political parties, institutions and leaders.
The party also said that the recent EU Commission pronouncement in relation to sugar is of great concern.
The PPP/C expressed support for the efforts of government and other ACP countries in resisting the proposed changes with regard to sugar. It noted that government has been dealing with these issues at all levels including at the level of the European Union.
The PPP/C administration has started the modernisation of the industry with the Skeldon project, Ramotar's statement said.
It added that this is vital to the survival of the industry in Guyana. The party feels that with hard work and sacrifice the sugar industry would be able to successfully face the new challenges and continue to make a major contribution to economic development.