Guyana opposition returns to Parliament after one year

GEORGETOWN — Guyana’s main opposition People’s National Party/Reform (PNC/R) was back in Parliament yesterday that brought an end to almost a year-long boycott.

This important development coincides with fresh efforts by the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the PNC/R to resume high-level bi-partisan dialogue to resolve outstanding issues of governance, including constitutional reform.

A meeting has already been proposed between the PNC/R’s newly elected leader, Robert Corbin and President Bharrat Jagdeo at which one of the burning social issues to be addressed is the challenging crime situation that Guyana has faced for almost a year.

By mutual agreement between the government and opposition the National Assembly held its first session with representatives of the major and minority parties in attendance to discuss a motion by PNC/R leader, Robert Corbin to discuss, among other matters of national concern, the need for a freeze on electricity rates at their present levels.

Another issue on Corbin’s expanded motion calls for the creation of a parliamentary select committee to mount a public enquiry into the functioning of the Guyana Police Force and make recommendations for its increased efficiency and efficacy.

It has been noted that in the anxiety to have this first meeting of all parties in Parliament on a day normally set aside for “private members business”, yesterday’s meeting of the National Assembly took place at the Ocean View Convention Centre, some four miles east of Georgetown and not in the ornate chamber of Parliament Building. The parliament chamber is currently under repairs.

Patterson praises RNM’s work plan

PORT-OF-SPAIN—The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) has been praised for it work plans by Prime Minister P J Patterson of Jamaica.

Patterson, who has lead responsibility among Caribbean Community leaders for Caricom’s external trade and economic negotiations, said he found most “reassuring’ the “comprehensive five-year strategic plan and detailed “working arrangements for 2003/2004”.

Patterson’s kudos for the RNM, headed by director general Dr Richard Bernal, came during his report to the just-concluded 14th Inter-Sessional Meeting of Caribbean Community heads of government in Trinidad and Tobago.

He noted the range of critical issues addressed for concerted regional action embracing negotiations that involve agreements with the World Trade Organisation, European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, and the emerging Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

It was in the context of “an increasingly complex trade agenda”, said Patterson, that the work of the RNM, and its comprehensive five-year strategic plan was deserving of commendation.

Patterson, however, noted that the success in external negotiations was a responsibility not only of the RNM but that it required “the active involvement of governments, the business sector, trade unions and non-governmental organisations”.