As you are aware, I have been assigned responsibility by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community for the implementation of the Herdmanston Accord and Saint Lucia Statement. This assignment is in pursuance of the commitment of the Conference to support the process of political normalisation in Guyana. The purpose of my visit to Guyana is to update myself on the progress of the Constitutional Reform process and the Political Dialogue mandated by the Herdmanston Accord. This will enable me to make a firsthand report to the Seventh Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community which takes place on 26-27 October 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Yesterday morning I met with President Jagdeo and representatives of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, with representatives of religious organisations, women’s and youth groups.
In the afternoon, I met with Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte and representatives of the People’s National Congress, with representatives of the Private Sector Commission , with Dr. Rupert Roopnarine of the Working People’s Alliance and with Mr. Manzoor Nadir and representatives of The United Force.
Today, I met with representatives of the political parties not represented in Parliament and with representatives of the Trades Union Congress.
As a result of these Meetings I am satisfied that there has been significant progress on the Constitutional Reform process. The Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) set up as a result of the Herdmanston Accord has completed its Report on schedule. It is hoped that the Special Parliamentary Select Committee now engaged in considering the recommendations of the CRC will complete its work by 31 October 1999 for presentation to the National Assembly.
In relation to the Political Dialogue I am convinced that there is an urgent need for President Jagdeo and Mr Hugh Desmond Hoyte as the principal representatives of the two major political parties to meet and engage in constructive dialogue on some of the major issues troubling the people of Guyana. The letter and the spirit of the Herdmanston Accord and the Saint Lucia Statement must be honoured in principle and in practice.
Both major parties have restated their commitment to the holding of elections by 17 January 2001 as required by the Herdmanston Accord. It is important therefore that the electoral system be agreed on, that the Elections Commission be set up and that all myriad ancillary matters be put in place for the holding of elections. These matters must be concluded urgently because of the limited time available between now and January 2001.
As a result of meeting with the social partners, with representatives of the political parties represented in Parliament and those not represented in Parliament and with representatives of the Private Sector Commission and representatives of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, I am satisfied that there is need for participation by civil society in the process of engagement between the two major political parties. The experience of the intervention by civil society which led to the settling of the recent Public Service strike and in concluding the arrangements for the transfer of ownership of the Guyana Electricity Corporation is ample evidence that such participation would be useful in assisting to resolve intractable issues between the two major political parties. An appropriate form of such engagement will have to be worked out.
This afternoon I leave Guyana. As indicated earlier during the course of the next week I will be reporting my findings to the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
