GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Former US president Jimmy Carter will visit Guyana for two days next week to meet with government and opposition officials, who are feuding over allegations of a government-sponsored hit squad, officials said yesterday.

The Nobel Peace laureate, whose Atlanta-based Carter Centre has observed three elections in Guyana since 1992, is scheduled to arrive Wednesday, said Robert Persaud, Guyana's presidential spokesman.

Carter planned to meet with Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, opposition party leaders and members of civil society, Persaud said.

The opposition People's National Congress party said it would use Carter's visit to stress its concerns about the alleged hit squad, which has been blamed for more than 40 killings over the last two years.

Jagdeo denies his government has any ties to the squad.
Persaud downplayed the importance the hit squad scandal would take during Carter's visit, insisting the former US president was mostly coming to evaluate the Carter Centre's almost 10 year-old mission in Guyana. The mission supports several non-governmental organisations in the South American country.

"There may be some overlap with the politics of Guyana, but (Carter's visit is) mainly to look at the work of his centre in Guyana," Persaud said.

Carter Centre officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Two weeks ago, a judge ordered a former police officer to stand trial in the January 5 shooting death of Shafeek Bacchus, whose brother, George Bacchus, had said he worked as an informant for the hit squad and claimed Interior Minister Ronald Gajraj was behind the group.

George Bacchus was killed in his home last month a day before he was set to testify against two others charged in his brother's death.

Gajraj denies the charges but temporarily stepped down last month to clear the way for an independent inquiry. Both the United States and Canada have revoked Gajraj's tourist visas.

A three-member commission is expected to begin hearings within a month and is accepting written evidence.

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