President Cheddi Jagan after returning recently from an official visit to Canada was greeted with protests over statements he made at a meeting with a group of Guyanese in that country.
The President told an audience in Toronto that "the PPP is not an Indian party. The British and the Americans did not remove me from power and put Burnham in because of race. In fact, if they were using race, I should have been kept there and Burnham should have been kept out forever because as we know Black people are generally at the lowest scale of the social ladder."
Just after the Guyanese Head of State arrived home following his overseas visit he was met with protesters outside of State House picketing, chanting and calling for an apology and his resignation. They said the statement was demeaning to African Guyanese.
The activity was organized by the opposition People's National Congress (PNC), the National Emancipation Trust and the All-African Council.
President Jagan then made a statement on November 19 emphasizing that his remarks had been taken totally out of context for political propaganda and mischief and the reference he said must be viewed in the context in which the speech was delivered.
In reply to the protests concerning the statement, the President said that while in Toronto he addressed meetings on the broad theme of Race, Class and Politics, and on
economic and socio/cultural developments in Guyana.
He explained, "In so doing, I analyzed the Guyana experience of the removal of the PPP Government in 1964 and argued that foreign intervention in Guyana's internal affairs resulted from class, political, and not racial factors."
"In presenting this analysis, I referred to the status of Blacks. As I have explained in previous statements, I had meant to underline the American perception of race, and Blacks in particular, prior to the removal of my Government in 1964. This was never meant as an attack on our Afro-Guyanese population."
Furthermore, he stated that he lived in Washington, New York and Chicago and his personal experiences and views about the social alienation of blacks in the United States of America are well known and documented in his book, "The West on Trial".
Subsequently, in an address to the nation on the evening of November 27, he expressed regrets saying, "my statement lent itself to misinterpretation and misunderstanding, and was construed in a manner that caused genuine hurt to some Guyanese. To those who are distressed at what I said, I express my regrets, and I wish to again assure them that it was never my intention to denigrate Blacks in general and Afro-Guyanese in particular."
"I remain firmly committed to national unity and to the security of all races in Guyana as I have been for my entire political career of over fifty years."
President Cheddi Jagan arrived on November 11 to an enthusiastic red carpet welcome in Kuwait on his official State visit of the Middle East. He later left Kuwait to attend the World Food Summit in Rome.
In Kuwait, the President held talks with the Amir who has accepted an invitation to visit Guyana, but before that an official delegation is expected to explore actual areas for Kuwait's involvement.
This was in response to the submission of a draft economic cooperation and investment agreement by the Government of Guyana for consideration by the Kuwaiti Government.
At the end of the visit in Kuwait, President Jagan and the Amir issued a Joint Communique which pledges cooperation between Kuwait and Guyana in the field of economic development and in the promotion of investment.
The Guyanese leader made special efforts to attract foreign investment and made successful visits of the seven-member United Arab Emirates (UAE) with this oil-rich federation committing itself to pursue trade links with Guyana.
The Guyana delegation arrived in the Emirates of Sharjah on November 8 for a four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.
President Jagan was later interviewed on the National television and then held a series of
meetings with businessmen of the UAE as he continued to seek opportunities for investment in
Guyana.
Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo has announced another breakthrough in Government's efforts to reduce the nation's stock of debt in order to free up resources to be expended in other areas.
On November 12 the German Finance Ministry gave approval to cancel 17 million marks (US$11.29M) of the 27 million marks Guyana owed to that country.
Jagdeo noted that Guyana will be pursuing the German Finance Ministry for a further write-off on the remaining 10 million marks owed.
This latest break-through followed the Paris Club decision to write off in excess of US$500 million of Guyana's debt earlier this year.
University of Guyana (UG) students and other social groupings welcomed the success made by acting Attorney General Charles Ramson in securing some slots at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.
At a meeting of the Caribbean Council of Legal Education (CLE) in St Kitts & Nevis, Ramson was able to secure a victory for Guyana.
The vote saw a 9 - 7 victory in favor of allowing the Graduates entry to the Law School. The names of the 20 law students with the highest passes have already been submitted and arrangements were being worked on to finalize their admissions.
Guyana's Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr Samuel Insanally, has reiterated that everything possible was done to secure the re-election of Dr Mohamed Shahabuddeen to the International Court of Justice, also called the World Court, than in 1987 when he was elected for the first time.
Dr Shahabuddeen lost to Brazilian law professor, Jose Rezek, who was also his country's Foreign Minister.
In an invited comment the Ambassador said that "disappointment with the result is understandable, since we thought Judge Shahabuddeen was the best qualified candidate."
"His performance over the past nine years on the Court has been acclaimed as brilliant. Every representative with whom I spoke during the campaign did not fail to acknowledge his impressive credentials."
However, Insanally said, it would appear that competence alone does not win elections at the United Nations. He said that at play are many political and other factors which now make it difficult to predict what would happen.
Guyana on November 14 formally tabled the proposal for the establishment of the Regional Integration Fund (RIF), during the meeting of the FTAA Working Group on Smaller Economies held in Caracas, Venezuela.
In a presentation to the two-day meeting, attended by 30 countries of the hemisphere, the Head of the Guyana Delegation, Guyana's Ambassador to the United States, Dr Odeen Ishmael, explained that the RIF could be instrumental in channeling technical assistance to the smaller economies of the Hemisphere for the development of their infrastructure and expansion of their industrial base. The RIF, Ambassador Ishmael pointed out, would assist these countries to boost their competitiveness with the advent of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), expected to be established by 2005.
Ambassador Ishmael, in his presentation, explained that the idea of the RIF, even though conceived by Guyana, has now been formally adopted by the CARICOM Heads of Government as a joint CARICOM proposal.
The Working Group Meeting later mandated Guyana to prepare a revised document on the RIF to include ideas generated during two seminars on the RIF which were held in Guyana. The Group asked for this document to be circulated to all Governments involved in the FTAA process before year end in order to allow them to prepare for detailed discussions during the next Working Group Meeting to be held early in 1997.
Guyana's Junior Minister of Labor, Indranie Chandarpal, was on November 12 elected to the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM). The CIM falls under the jurisdiction of the Organization of American States (OAS), made up of 34 member-nations of the hemisphere. In the election to fill the five executive committee positions, Mrs. Chandarpal won 27 votes, the second highest number of votes won by any of the seven contesting candidates. She will serve in this position for the next two years. It is the first time that Guyana has contested for a position on this body.
The Inter-American Development Bank recently announced the approval of a 17 million dollar (US) soft loan to Guyana to finance the rehabilitation of priority infrastructure serving low-income groups and to promote community development.
The program will be managed by the Social Impact Amelioration Program, which was established in 1990 with the help of two IDB technical assistance grants and subsequently supported by an IDB loan of 13.5 million dollars.
Individual projects are identified by community-based organizations which also contribute to the project's implementation.
The menu of social infrastructure projects includes, among other activities, the rehabilitation of day care centers, primary schools, health posts, old age homes and residential drainage and water systems in rural areas.
Economic infrastructure projects include the rehabilitation and upgrading of local roads, bridges, and markets. Less costly tertiary small drainage and irrigation projects will also be financed.
The IDB loan from the Fund for Special Operations is for a 40-year term, with an annual interest rate of one per cent during the first 10 years and two per cent thereafter.
A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the joint Malaysian-Guyana Forestry firm,
UNAMCO and Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) was signed on Monday November 4 to
allow UNAMCO to proceed with its more than US$30 million investment package.
Hamley Case, UNAMCO's Managing Director, was elated that the MOU was signed, stating that
"it permits us to move full speed ahead to complete the access road into the forest."
Case indicated that shortly 178 acres of land is expected to be granted at Kwakwani, Berbice
River to be used as the site for the saw mill. "We are grateful for co-operation by the
Government," he added, noting the Malaysians are also happy and are ready to push ahead with
the investment.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, acting as President, sent a congratulatory note to re-elected
President, Bill Clinton.
The message read : "I have great pleasure in extending on behalf of the Government and people
of Guyana.......heartiest congratulations on your re-election as President of the United States."
"This historic achievement is a testimony to the confidence of the American in your leadership.
We wish you continued success as you undertake the task of fulfilling your mandate for the
economic and social advancement of your country," said the Prime Minister.
Mr Hinds expressed the hope that with the re-election of President Clinton, the two countries'
excellent relations "will be further strengthened and consolidated."
Cabinet at its most recent meeting was perturbed at the breaches of the seawall at Mon Repos
and Foulis, East Coast of Demerara. There were also smaller breaches on the Essequibo Coast
and West Coast of Demerara occasioned by the seasonal high tides.
Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that Cabinet examined issues such as contract
implementation and supervision, especially relating to the East Coast Demerara breaches.
Cabinet favored an internal investigation to verify whether there were grounds to pursue action
to determine breach of contract and recklessness against the contractor attached to the Mon
Repos and Foulis areas.
When President Jagan, visited the site of the breaches at Mon Repos and Foulis, affected
residents claimed that boulders already put in place had been removed by the contractor for use
on another project.
The contractor, in whose presence the allegations were made, refuted the claims. But the
President called for an immediate enquiry into the claims.
It is learnt that a determination will be made on whether to invite the police to conduct a full
criminal investigation into the suspected illegal movement of boulders by the contractor.
Ministry of Works officials said they have received reports of illegal removal of boulders, which
are part of the sea defense structures in some areas.
Government Ministers continued to monitor the situation closely to ensure that necessary steps
were taken to bring early relief to the affected areas.
In response to the situation, a four-man Presidential Commission was appointed by Prime
Minister Sam Hinds to investigate the breach in the seawall at Mon Repos. They were sworn in
on November 18, at the office of the Prime Minister. The Commission has one month to
complete its investigation.
Members of the Commission are the Chairman, Mr Leroy Cort, Cabinet Monitoring Officer in
the Office of the President, Mr Bert Carter Engineer with Veira Investments Limited, Mr Edgar
Kendall, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, and Mr Kheedmat Budhu,
Department Head of the State Planning Secretariat.
The PPP/Civic Government has made it clear it is eager to have Internet links available to
Guyana very shortly.
Technical Communications Advisor at the Office of the President, Dr Rovin Deodat, said
recently, "The Government needs to be in close contact with the Guyana Telephone and
Telegraph Company (GT&T) to ensure that Guyanese do get on line at the most reasonable
cost."
Dr Deodat noted that the Government was interested in consumers and would be working with
GT&T to ensure that the costing of service is such that many Guyanese can access the
information super highway.
The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company said it has been moving ahead with its
expansion program, even as the company awaits the adjustment rates.
Recently, new telephone lines have been installed in several areas of the country. More than 200
lines were allocated to residents in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam and the installation crew has
moved to Strand, the business section of the town.
Along with new allocation, restored service is being provided to customers at Enmore, Whim,
Albion and Melanie Damishana. Some other villages were without telephones because of
vandalized or deteriorated facilities since the days of GTC, prior to the establishment of GT&T.
Some 200 lines are being provided via a fibre optic remote feed to customers in Enmore and 80
additional lines are to be installed at Whim and Albion, with 100 lines to subscribers in Melanie
Damishana.
The Essequibo Coast is also earmarked to be serviced with wireless technology.
The Company has also started construction of a Standard B Earth station at its Beterverwagting
Central Office site, East Coast Demerara. The station will be the national network hub for the
deployment of telecommunications services to the interior locations identified for satellite
trunking access.
A domestic satellite system will be used to provide the main telecommunication infrastructure in
the interior. This will make available additional telecommunication services such as fax
transmissions in the remote area.
The first phase is the establishment of domestic satellite services at Lethem and Port Kaituma.
Guyana's economy has been growing at close to 7% up to the first half of the year with this trend
expected to continue until year-end. This was confirmed by Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo.
This growth rate more than doubles that of the average growth rate of Latin American and
Caribbean economies.
"Based on data for the first half of the year, it is estimated that the economies of Latin America
and the Caribbean will grow by about 3% in 1996," according to the Economic Commission for
Latin America and the Caribbean, in its latest publication titled "Economic Panorama of Latin
America 1996."
The average rate of growth in the hemisphere was 0.4%, while Guyana's was over 5%. The
programs and policies of the PPP/Civic administration have been applauded by various
international institutions.
Retired Guyana Defence Force Brigadier David Granger, who also served as Military Advisor to
PNC regime, said the involvement of political parties in internal administration of the GDF
"should not be countenanced."
"In general, I support the line by Chief of Staff, Brigadier Joe Singh in an earlier statement and
in his message to the troops to mark the Army's 31st anniversary..... the GDF is a national
institution and should be allowed to perform in accordance with the rules of the Guyana Defence
Board," he said in an exclusive interview.
Brigadier Singh, in his 31st anniversary message, said, "Let us rededicate ourselves to the
continuing task of evolving a truly national Defence Force, one which lives up to its Motto of
Service....we must accept and discharge the responsibilities which devolve from our command,
staff and organization's relationships with the Joint Services, with the rest of the nation and
externally."
Referring to a letter purportedly from Hamilton Green-led GGG calling on the army to take
"action" against the PPP/Civic Government, Granger said: "The letter is regrettable." Noting that
the GDF has "never challenged central Government," General Granger added: "I think it would
be a sad day when the army is invited to do so."
The former top-ranking officer commented that "the Defence Board is the supreme ruling body
of the GDF," noting that Dr Roger Luncheon, as Secretary of the Defence Board, "was quite in
order to speak to officers."
He said that "the army was under good command" and that "political parties should support
Brigadier Singh and not erode his support."
The GGG's letter to all ranks accused the PPP/Civic Government of wanting to "destroy, denude
and denigrate the military."
About 8,000 residents between Nos. 76 and 79 Villages, Corriverton are now receiving a reliable
flow of potable water supply with the recent commissioning of the Springlands Water Works.
The completed project, costing the Guyana Water Authority more than $20 million, entailed the
replacement of the old pump house to facilitate the installation of modern water system,
connected to the power supply from the Guyana Electricity Corporation and the replacement of
10 kilometers of new PVC pipe, stretching from No. 76 to No. 79 Villages
The project funded by the Government of Guyana at a cost of $82.4 million will provide regular
water supply to the rice farmers in the Manarabisi area located 35 miles up the Canje River.
Minister Persaud called for the establishment of closer ties with all sectors of the Rice Industry,
saying "The Rice Industry is a wheel with many spokes and all have to operate and function
coherently."
He reported that some $438.4 million has already been spent during the last four years in
drainage and irrigation projects. Seventeen hymacs were also purchased and some 100 miles of
Drainage and Irrigation work have been completed.
Dr Julius Nyerere former President of Tanzania and currently Chairman of the South Center
began a five-day official visit to Guyana on November 27.
Dr Nyerere has accepted an invitation from President Cheddi Jagan to visit Guyana between
November 27 and December 1, 1996.
The Government of Guyana made preparations to make Dr Nyerere's visit a fruitful one. While
in Guyana he held discussions with President Cheddi Jagan and other Senior Government
officials. Visits to several places of interest were also included in his program.
For several years Dr Nyerere, as chairman of the South Center, has been actively promoting
solidarity among developing countries and fostering mutual understanding and co-operation
between countries of the North and the South.
The Guyana Government has been fully supportive of the initiatives of the Center in promoting
equality and justice for all, and strengthening of the United Nations and its family of
organizations.
There are also common grounds between the Center and the Guyana Government in matters
relating to current globalization trends and current mechanisms to deal with potential and
economic relations among nations.
President Cheddi Jagan held discussions with Italian President, Oscar Luigi Scalsaro, and later
met Pope John Paul at the Vatican.
President Jagan and his delegation which recently concluded a seven nation tour to North
America, the Middle East and Europe also attended the World Food Summit in Rome, among
other world leaders.
During the meeting between the two heads of states, crucial international issues which were on
the Summit's Agenda were discussed. They also focused on bilateral relations between Italy and
Guyana and explored areas for further debt relief for Guyana.
Guyana's President also met with the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural
Organization, Mr Jacques Diouf, and senior officials of the United Nations Agency Against
Crime and Drugs.
Guyana and Italy established diplomatic relations in April 1967. Ambassador Dr Oliviero Rossi,
who is based in Brazil, has been accredited to Guyana.
While in Rome Foreign Minister Clement Rohee and Italian Government officials signed a
Framework Agreement on Friendship and Co-operation and began talks on a Bilateral
Investment Treaty between the two countries.
The United States Department of Agriculture has responded positively to the Guyana
Government's request for a US$9 million loan through its PL-480 Wheat Program. This amount
is the same received last year and Guyana is one of the 21 selected countries for this food
facility, which will ensure an adequate supply of wheat for the coming year.
Christopher Goldthwait of the USDA said "the factors that determine priorities for country
allocations include food needs, potential for becoming a commercial US market and likely
improvement of food security through agricultural projects and economic measures."
Goldthwait said that general allocations "take into account changing economic and foreign
policy situations, market development opportunities, existence of adequate storage facilities and
possible dis-incentives to local production."
The USDA official went on to elaborate that the "program is used to support countries that have
made commitments to introduce or expend free enterprise elements in their agricultural
economies."
Ambassador Odeen Ishmael and the staff of the Embassy of Guyana extend to all our
readers warmest greetings for a merry Christmas and wish them peace and goodwill in the
New Year.
The Tourism Advisory Bureau is planning a "Grand Georgetown Motorcade" on December 8
to raise funds to enhance and beautify the Georgetown sea walls. According to a release from the
Visit Guyana Year Secretariat of the Tourism Ministry, the Georgetown motorcade, expected to
attract over 360 decorated cars, is part of the Remember December schedule of activities.
Throughout the year a series of activities were held by the Secretariat and groups to mark Visit
Guyana Year.
Housing development at Eccles, East Bank Demerara is proceeding apace and indications
are that litigation involving a certain section of the area is not hampering the pace of home
construction. The Eccles housing strip is being used for both low and middle-income housing
development. For middle-income housing development, private developers have been
allocated plots, but owners have to meet certain conditions stipulated by the Housing Ministry.
The modern market facility at Enterprise was recently commissioned by Minister Reepu
Daman Persaud. Hundreds of residents attended the ceremony. The facility, costing $33 million,
is complete with water, electrical and other necessary facilities and was funded by the Basic
Needs Trust Fund with support from the Enterprise Community Development Community.
Roads in Shieldstown , Cotton Tree, No 22/Bel Air and Perth, in Region Five, are being
rebuilt, ending nearly 30 years of poor access in those communities. Rehabilitation of these
key community roads are about 60% complete and residents are looking forward for new
better roads so that their conditions of living can be improved. The Region Five program is
one part of the national road rehabilitation program being undertaken in all regions.
Eight prominent city bullion entrepreneurs have been fingered by the police for their alleged
involvement in the billion-dollar gold scam that dates back to the pre-1992 period. Acting
Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald, said that only five persons have been located.
McDonald noted that investigations on the five located are being conducted and efforts are being
made to locate the other three, who are believed to be overseas.
Recently, the Constitutional Reform Parliamentary Committee met to decide on a more
active media campaign in its efforts to have greater public involvement in the Constitutional
Reform process. The committee will be seeking closer involvement with the media.
Advertisements have already been out urging the public and other organizations to make
submissions on reforming the much-criticized 1980 Constitution.
Guyana's Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr David Dabydeen, has secured over $14 million for the
UNESCO National Commission. The money, is to be used to organize two important
international conferences on Amerindian culture and the environment, which are aimed at
raising funds for Amerindian development in Guyana.
The rehabilitation of the Linden/Soesdyke Highway is expected to commence in January,
covering approximately 44.5 miles of the existing road from the junction of the
Georgetown/Timehri Road to Linden. The project includes among other things the over-laying of approximately 11.7 miles from Soesdyke to Kuru Kuru with asphaltic concrete. The
project valued at about US$11 million, will see the provision of road signs and markings,
maintenance of existing drainage facilities and diversion of services. Bids for the contracts
were received in October.
A new nursery school with a capacity of approximately 100 pupils is being built at No 51
Village, Corentyne. The school costing some $5 million, is expected to be commissioned for the
next school term and replaces a dilapidated building once used to house pupils. In a related
development, another new primary school at Yakusari, Black Bush Polder is currently being
constructed to the tune of $24 million. This project is being executed by the PTA and residents
in the settlement. Both projects are being funded by the Government project execution arm,
SIMAP. In Region Six, with a complement of 144 schools, 60% of the buildings were
rehabilitated by the present administration.
The Ministry of Education signed two contracts recently for construction of a new school
and renovation of other education institutions. The contracts, totaling some $215 million,
were signed by two contractors for construction of a new West Demerara Secondary School, a
multi-purpose library at the National Center for Educational Resource Development and
another library for the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Eighty -three trainees began pursuing a one-year training program at four Government
financial departments - the Accountant General's Department, the Auditor General's
Department, the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department. This is
the second such program by the PPP/Civic Government to attract young Guyanese desirous of
making a career in the public service and to augment the effectiveness and efficiency of various
Government departments.
The Police/Army joint crime crackdown has led to the arrest of 32 persons following raids
in Berbice, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara. They were arrested for
various offences ranging from narcotic trafficking to robbery and unlawful possession of
firearms.
Inner Stanleytown, Inner Bagotville and Canal No 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara were to
receive a reliable flow of water in mid-November, by which time the Guyana Water Authority
would have completed the replacement of the areas' old, clogged mains with new PVC mains.
The cost of ensuring better water supply in these communities is $10 million. Concurrently,
works are taking place in Vergenoegen, Philadelphia, Barnwell, Greenwich Park, Good Hope,
Ruby and Farm Highway, East Bank, Essequibo. Meanwhile, in the Capital City, the
Georgetown Sewage and Water Commissioners has commenced an initial exercise in the
Lamaha Garden/Sophia areas to lay seven lengths of pipeline across Eastern Highway. These
works are a forerunner to planned rebuilding of this highway by Central Government.
The Ministry of Finance has successfully, concluded negotiations for an US$18.9 million
soft loan for projects aimed at fighting poverty. These projects are to be executed through the
Government's project execution arm, SIMAP. The sums will be used to fight poverty at the
community levels, and tackling physical and social infrastructure.
Government will soon embark on a two-year project to refurbish the roof of the more than
100-year-old Georgetown High Court to the tune of some $15 million. The work on the roof will
commence early next year according to an official.
Three offers have been received when the deadline for bids for Guyana Stores Limited
expired on November 2, acting head of the Privatization Unit said.
Members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Worker Union at the Guyana Sugar
Corporation (GUYSUCO) are to begin receiving millions of dollars in retroactive pay, following
a 1996-97 wage increase agreement.
PM Congratulates Clinton
East Coast Seawall Breaches
Gov't Eager for Internet Links
GT&T Unveils Expansion Plans
Guyana Economy Grows Beyond Latin
American, Caribbean Rate
Brigadier Granger Rejects Partisan
Intervention in GDF Affairs
New Pump Station Opened in Upper
Corentyne
Improved Irrigation Facilities
Some 22,352 acres of farmlands have begun benefitting from a second
irrigation pump which was commissioned by Senior Minister of
Agriculture, Reepu Daman Persaud at Manarabisi, Region Six, on
November 13, 1996.
Dr Nyerere Visits Guyana
President Meets Pope John Paul
US$9M PL-480 Assistance
Designs for community roads in Leonora and Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara
started recently. These community roads are part of a national road re-building program
being undertaken by Central Government.
New Works Minister Anthony Xavier recently formally opened the new $18 million Amerijet
cargo facility at Timehri International Airport, where the US-based company has been operating
weekly with two Boeing 727 jets for the past two years.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds on November 15 commissioned a US$53.3 million expansion of
the Omai Gold Mines Limited's mill at the company's Omai site. The mill which is said to be
the world's largest single pinion sag mill, will increase the mine's mill capacity by half, which
according to the company , will also increase the country's annual gold production by some
70,000 to 80,000 ounces per year.
Despite the July floods that damaged about 50,000 bags of paddy, rice production for the this
year will exceed last year's production total of 317,000 tonnes. The Minister of Agriculture said
that Government has been able to rebuild and reinstall 60% of the country's drainage and
irrigation system and that by the end of the year this figure should increase.
The increase in rice production has seen Guyana venturing out to secure new markets. On
December 15 the first shipment of rice to be exported to Africa will leave Guyana. In addition
, tonnes of rice will be exported to Haiti, Guatemala, Columbia and CARICOM states.
Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board said that very shortly two new parboiling
facilities will be fully operational. Also a Russian team visited Guyana recently and indicated
its interest in buying Guyana's rice.
Guyana and Canada have signed an agreement that will lead to more Guyana rum entering the
Canadian market.
Two pilots and a passenger have been ejected from their aircraft after it was hijacked on
Wednesday 27 November. The Roraima Airway Islander was hijacked at Kwebanna in the
North West District. Two Guyanese and three Spanish-speaking men believed to be
Columbians took over the aircraft. The United States and countries in Latin America were
called upon to help locate the plane.
The National Registration Center is aiming at printing a preliminary voters' list for public
scrutiny, days after the clerical registration aspect ended on November 7. About 510,487 persons
were registered and this accounts for 99.7% of the estimated amount of registrants.
Dr. David Chanderbali was elected by a special appointments committee as the new
Registrar of the University of Guyana.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Information on Guyana, INTERNET users may check the WEB SITE on GUYANA NEWS AND INFORMATION at: http://www.guyana.org
Our E-mail address is: MAOIshmael@aol.com
Reminder to Guyanese Nationals -
Please ensure that your PASSPORTS are VALID. Do not wait until emergencies arise
before you check these documents.
Please note that until March 31, 1997 the Embassy hours will be between 9am and 4pm
CASEG Bus Ride to New York
December 14, 1996
Bus leaves MD at 5:30 am and leaves New York at 8:00 pm
Cost $40 Call (301) 799 - 6448 or (301) 439 - 3228
The Ex-GDF Association & The ACG
New Years Eve Ball - Dinner and Open Bar
At La Fontaine Bleu MD, Dec 31, 1996 10:00 pm - 3:00am
$60 per person $100 per couple
Call (301) 277 - 8736 or (301) 735 - 1533
Hindu Dharmic Sabha of Washington Metropolitan Area 3909 53rd St., Bladensburg, MD
Services Sunday 10.00 a.m.
Call James Beeharilal (301) 699-9573
Maryland Hindu Milan Mandir
808 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD
Services - Sundays 9.30 a.m.- Pandit Sase N. Sharma
Call (301) 593-7638
Islamic Society of the Washington Area
Principles of Islam - 3rd Saturday every month
Call Imam Faizul Khan 301-588-3650.
Bishops' High School Alumni Guild
Annual Christmas Brunch
On December 8, 1996 at Foxtrappe Washington DC
Cost $25 Call (202) 722 - 4585 or (301) 595 - 4001
GUYAID Christmas Party at Kaieteur
On Dec 15, 1996 At 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Call (202) 726 - 7106 or (202) 626 -0431FOR YOUR INFORMATION
GUYANA CONSULATES AND HONORARY TRADE REPRESENTATIVES
NEW YORK : Mr. Brentnol Evans, Consul-General
Tel: (212) 527-3215, Fax: (212) 527-3229
CALIFORNIA : Mr. Joseph D'Oliveira, Honorary Consul,
Tel: (213) 222-0899 Fax: (213) 222-0899
FLORIDA : Mr. Hilton Ramcharitar, Honorary Consul, Tel: (305) 797-6844, Fax: (305) 797-7603
TEXAS: Mr. Jai Sharma, (Trade Rep)
Tel: (713) 847-5800 Fax: (713) 847-3210
GEORGIA: Mr. Neilson Wray (Trade Rep)
Tel: 770-469-3337 Fax: 770-469-1915
MINNESOTA: Mr. Earl Singh, (Trade Rep)
Tel: (612) 332-0351, Fax: (612) 342-2399
MISSOURI: Mr. Antoine Solomon, (Trade Rep)
Tel and Fax: (314) 830 - 2376
All payments for services officially rendered by the Embassy must be made in cash or by money order, bank draft or certified check. Personal checks are not acceptable.
To publicize your group's activities in this forum , FAX the information to 202-232-1297 or call 202-265-6900.
To receive a copy of Guyana Update send $5.00 to cover one year's postage and handling to the
address below.
Embassy of the Republic of Guyana
2490 Tracy Place NW
Washington DC 20008
202-265-6900/FAX 202-232-1297
(After hours and holidays, FAX 301-365-9467)