Since I last reported to you on 18 December 1998, the Parties have continued faithfully in dialogue. You will recall that the agreement reached in relation to Composition of State Boards, Commissions and Committees had left certain details to be completed. Those details have now been resolved and that matter has been settled. The Boards, Commissions and Committees on which the PNC will be represented have been identified and the following criteria for appointment have been agreed:
1. The nominee for appointment to any Board or Commission or Committee must conform to the generally accepted norms for such appointments.
2. The nominee must be capable of contributing to the advancement of the objectives and goals of the Board or Commission or Committee.
3. The subject Minister responsible for the Board or Commission or Committee should inform all members of the Board or Commission or Committee of the relevant areas of government policy applicable as guidelines for the operation of the particular Board or Commission or Committee.
4. Where, in the performance of the functions of a member of a Board or Commission or Committee, it is discovered that the character and conduct of the appointee renders that person unsuitable for such appointment, that appointment may be determined summarily by the nominating Party.
Nominations will be submitted by the PNC by 31 January 1999.
The Parties also reached agreement on the issue of the appointment of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. It has been agreed that the tradition, custom and practice of appointing an Opposition Member as Deputy Speaker will be implemented. The PNC has identified Ms. Clarissa Rheil as its nominee for the post of Deputy Speaker.
The Parties are considering a number of other issues simultaneously. These include Parliamentary Reform, Statutory Meeting of Ministers and Spokespersons for the Opposition, Elections Commission and Land Selection Committees and House Lots Distribution. To facilitate discussion on Land Selection Committees and House Lots Distribution the Minister of Housing and Water, the Honourable Sheik Baksh attended a Meeting of the Dialogue on 20 January 1999, presented background information and outlined government’s policies in this area.
It is hoped that agreement will be reached shortly on the Composition of Land Selection Committees, Housing Committees, Arrangements for the Distribution of Land, Procedures and Criteria for Distribution of House Lots providing for transparency in the entire process, the Elections Commission and on the issues of Parliamentary Reform and Statutory Meetings of Ministers and Spokespersons for the Opposition.
In an effort to conclude discussions on remaining agenda items, the Parties have agreed to prepare a schedule and timetable for discussion of those items. Both sides have agreed to document their respective positions on all issues with a view to negotiating any compromises that can be made.
Office of the CARICOM Facilitator
28 January 1999
