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The Guyana Update -- February, 1998. |
The Government of Guyana received formal notice from the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan on January 27, that it has decided not to permit SaskPower Commercial Incorporated to invest US$23 million in the acquisition of a 50% equity interest in the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC).
This decision was based on a reluctance on the part of the Provincial Government of Saskatchewan to invest overseas. Also, recent post-election events in Guyana added to the uncertainty about overseas investments by the Province.
The Saskatchewan Government has nonetheless indicated that SaskPower will try to find an alternative source for the US$23 million equity investment, and complete the capitalization transaction that it had been negotiating with the Government and the GEC since February of 1997.
SaskPower itself has advised the Government of Guyana that it has identified several companies that are interested in supplying the required capital and completing the deal, on the same terms as those that were tentatively agreed to last month by SaskPower, the Government of Guyana and the GEC. While the Government of Guyana said it would consider the new arrangement proposed by SaskPower, it has advised the Canadian company that, in order to assure transparency, it may conduct a new public tender in which all companies that submitted bids in last year's tender would be invited to present offers.
"We regret that the Province of Saskatchewan has found it difficult to explain to its citizens why public funds should be invested in a foreign country rather than at home," responded Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who had closely monitored the SaskPower/GEC negotiation on Government's behalf.
Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said no firm decision has been taken on fresh bids for the 50% stake in the GEC after SaskPower Commercial was blocked from going ahead with the deal.
Cabinet has to discuss what specifically would be put in place, including proposed different alternatives, Dr Luncheon said.
SaskPower Commercial has confirmed that it is now bidding to bring in a strategic investor to take up the US$22.65 million equity in the Guyana Electricity Corporation within weeks.
Government has reiterated its acceptance of an independent audit of the results of Guyana's December 15 elections and has committed itself to facilitating every effort by the Caribbean Community(CARICOM) to have it successfully implemented. Government reaffirmed its position on the poll audit issue when it initialed an agreement with the minority PNC, January 17, at the intervention of a top-level CARICOM Goodwill Mission to Georgetown, to diffuse three weeks of tension that gripped the city after the PNC rejected the poll results. The Mission, comprising eminent Barbadian Sir Henry Forde, Guyanese Sir Shridath Ramphal, and Grenadian Sir Alister McIntyre, succeeded in getting minority leader Desmond Hoyte to agree to the poll audit, and, among other things, to agree with President Janet Jagan for :
1. An immediate halt to all public demonstrations and marches by the PNC, and the simultaneous lifting of the temporary governmental ban on such demonstrations and marches.
2. The conducting of a two-phased poll audit within three months to determine the exact votes amassed by each of the poll's ten contesting parties, the acceptance of the audit results by all of the parties, and a review of the country's electoral process before and after Elections Day (December 15);
3. The enactment of legislation to bind the parties to the findings of the poll audit and to facilitate the admissibility of the results of the audit if an election petition is filed by one of the parties;
4. The establishment, by law of a Constitutional Reform Commission on which political parties, trade unions, religious organizations, the private sector, youth groups and other 'social partners' will be represented, and the completion of consultations and the submission of a report on those consultations by the commission 18 months from January 17, 1998;
5. The holding of fresh elections by January 16, 2001;
6. The creation of a framework, by the PPP/Civic alliance and the PNC, for sustained dialogue between the parties on and for the resolution of public policy and partisan issues, in order to foster harmony and confidence and a constructive working relationship between them.
Each of the two parties is to appoint a representative to jointly supervise implementation of the 'menu of measures' to which they have expressed commitment.
This month as we commemorate our 28th Republic anniversary we are forced to reflect on the post-elections events and determine how these will affect the future of our country. It was indeed unfortunate that forces claiming that they were mounting "peaceful protests" found themselves in the lead of elements that caused physical destruction to property and indulged in violent racial attacks on citizens in Georgetown.
Such a situation must be condemned in the harshest possible terms. Our country has moved too far away from the days when divisions were sown and nurtured in our society for our people to allow those who want to foster those divisions to carry out their nefarious tasks.
Those who covertly and overtly encouraged racist attacks must be told in no uncertain terms that the overwhelming majority of Guyanese view them with great abhorrence. And our people, wherever they live, must not allow racists elements, in any group, to influence them. We must denounce them and shun them from our midst. In so doing, we will in our own little way help to foster unity and peace among our people.
It was obvious to all that the destabilizing actions on the streets of Georgetown after December 15 were aimed at derailing democracy in Guyana. This became very clear when anti-democratic forces made the conscious decision that they would not recognize the decision of the Court's ruling on the legality of the Presidency.
Our people must be on constant guard. For over a quarter of a century, we struggled to regain our democratic freedoms. We cannot allow our freedoms to be seized from us since we will not be able to regain them easily. We must give full support to the CARICOM-brokered accord and keep a watchful eye to ensure that all parties comply with the agreement.
There is a lesson we have to learn from the experience of our first leaders who influenced our independence struggle -- Cuffy, Accabre, Atta, Akara and Cosala. Even after they won independence in Berbice from the colonial rulers following the slave uprising which began in February 1763, they had to fight a constant battle within their own ranks to maintain the freedom that they won for all those who were oppressed under slavery. The freedom that they won lasted for less than a year and the brutality of slavery was enforced on them again, even on those slaves who sided with the colonialists to overthrow the Berbice Revolution.
Already, we are seeing the sad results of the actions of irresponsible leaders. The privatization of the energy sector through foreign investment has suffered a set-back. All Guyanese who were eagerly looking forward to improved energy supplies will suffer as a result.
But we must be optimistic. I feel that Guyanese will reject those who want to reverse the forward movement of our country and will join hands together to spin the wheel of economic and social progress that we have been enjoying over the past five years.
Happy Mashramani to all Guyanese!
Severe criticisms came from two leading Caribbean Newspapers for PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte for his party's racial utterances and tactics since losing the December 15 general elections.
The Trinidad & Tobago-based Express and Barbados-based Advocate newspapers published editorials knocking the PNC's resort to the politics of race and confrontational tactics in the post-election period.
The Express editorial, entitled "Hoyte Treading Dangerous Path," noted that "Mr Hoyte is hoping to wrench from the streets what he did not win in the poll."
"Worse, it is clear that the PNC is determined to use Janet Jagan's 'whiteness' as a racial rallying cry.......this could be a tragedy in the making."
For its part, the Advocate noted, among other things, that President Jagan's "place of origin is being played up as an issue...."
The paper's editorial entitled "Alien Leader? A Rush of Madness", commented: "One wonders why her detractors failed to make more of Mrs Jagan's country of birth before the elections, if they consider it truly important in the context of national leadership. Surely, they must see that by dredging up the matter at this stage they run the risk of being considered at least xenophobic, and at worst desperate."
The Advocate concluded: "If the strife succeeds in extracting any concession from the PPP/Civic administration, it must not be at the expense of the Presidency on the grounds identified."
Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto joined the long list of world leaders sending messages of congratulations to Mrs. Janet Jagan on her elevation to the Guyanese presidency following the December 15 polls. Congratulatory messages came in to President Jagan from Saint Lucian Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, chief executive officer Barry Newton of Britain's Booker Tate Limited, and the heads of several other multinational organizations. Earlier, congratulatory messages were also received from other leaders, including President Clinton.
Meanwhile, two internationally-known Guyanese, author Jan Carew and actor Ram John Holder, have joined the long list of personalities the world over sending congratulations to President Janet Jagan.
In his message Carew, the US-based Guyanese-born author and scholar, noted that the PPP/Civic's win "is a victory for all races, classes and factions in Guyana."
"With your usual honesty and integrity that was steeled during a long struggle, I am sure that you will deal with the present crises and that, you who, in the past fought so valiantly against racism and class prejudices, will lead a government of all the Guyanese people."
The UK-based Holder said: "You and your husband, my friend, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, have been rightly regarded internationally as great crusaders, not only for the freedom and prosperity of the Guyanese people, but also for Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean."
"Since 1946, you and Cheddi have amazed the world as you toiled so selflessly and unswervingly against mammoth obstacles for Guyana; the true post-war parents of the nation and a great example for us all."
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Clement Rohee, a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is scheduled to be established in Guyana during the first half of 1998. He said the establishment of the FSI would not only further develop Foreign Service Officers academically but the FSI curriculum would provide for training in areas of Foreign Service that are not usually taught at tertiary institutions.
Some specialized courses such as protocol, consular and economic diplomacy issues, which are peculiar to the foreign service will be offered at the institution.
The foreign institutes of India, Brazil, Peru, Malaysia and Chile have all pledged to contribute to this project and the University of Guyana and the University of the West Indies have been consulted for inputs. A remodeled Ramphal House which is considered conducive to learning, will house the new institution, the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
President Janet Jagan has apologized, in a televised interview, for showing disregard for a court order at her inauguration on December 19. She said it was an emotional reaction of 45 years of frustration and persecution. In answer to a question by GTV's Martin Goolsaran on Candid Conversation program, Mrs Jagan explained that there was a "very human aspect" of the incident.
"...Yes, I regret what took place. I wish to apologize for my actions, but at the same time I would like the opportunity to share the other side of the coin, so that maybe people could understand the state of my mind, and why that occurred. And to also mention very categorically, that it had nothing at all to do with disrespect for the laws and the Constitution."
She explained how the British from 1953 worked with local opposition parties to frustrate the work and the victories of the PPP through the suspension of the constitution in 1953, the PNC-UF and CIA alliance in the 1960s, the change in the electoral system, and successive rigged elections under the PNC regime.
She added: "And it was only in the period of 1990 that efforts were made to change the system and try to restore free and fair elections.
(In) 1992 when Dr Jagan won the elections, there was looting and burning; there were many efforts to prevent him from assuming his position as President.
And then, here was I sitting in State House, witnessing again, efforts to steal what was rightfully ours because...I have been involved in campaigning for the 1997 elections.
I know that the campaign was a strong one, we worked hard. In my experience, it was evident that the PPP would win. We felt confident, we went to the polls, our people came out in large numbers, they voted for us and by approximately 11 o'clock on December 15, we knew and, other parties knew, who would have won the elections.
There isn't any doubt that we have won and yet, in.... learning that the EAB knew also, they did a quick count which was also done in 1992, that showed that we had won by a very, more than comfortable majority, a very good majority.
So, here it was, I was being sworn in and these other efforts were being made - it is 45 years really of having this painful trial that one had to go through - and it was probably an emotional reaction of mine, because I don't think it took more than a second.
So, in other words, it was a reaction from all these 45 years of frustration and persecution.
I should not have reacted that way but I want the people to see the other side of the coin and the fact that there was a very human aspect of how this matter took place."
A prominent US company, Texas Ohio Energy Incorporated (TOE), recently signed a US$8 million investment agreement with Government and the state-owned Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE) for TOE's two-year high-tech rehabilitation and long-term operation of Linden's electricity facilities. The accord permits Government to grant a 25-year license to Texas Ohio's subsidiary, Linden Power Company, Inc. (LPC), gives LPC a 15-year lease of the Linden facilities, and allows LPC to sell some of its 25-megawatt power to LINMINE for that company's operations and for LINMINE's distribution to the Linden community. Texas Ohio's vice president for engineering, Mr 'Buddy' Exum, heads Linden Power Company, Inc. as chief executive officer.
A team of British consultants has voiced satisfaction with the progress being made by Government in implementing its land reform initiatives. The team, from Hunting Technical Services, is providing technical assistance to Government in the drafting of innovative land reform legislation and the restructuring of the Agriculture Ministry's Lands and Surveys Department to make them more responsive to the needs of farmers and investors. The project is being funded by the British Department for International Development for 1.2 million sterling, or G$281,600,000.
Newly-appointed Housing and Water Minister Shaik Baksh has inspected work to install 40 new water pumps in the Hinterland region.
Recently, Minister Baksh visited Aishalton, Lethem and Karaudarnau areas where he inspected eight new pumps already installed.
Daniel Singh, who is GUYWA's Public Relations Officer said that each of the pumps will cost $1 million and Government has committed $60 million for their installation. He said the initial contract covers the installation of ten of the pumps and work is to commence on the remaining pumps shortly.
The Government of Guyana is not only improving and extending potable water supply system along the coast, but is also providing safe drinking water to Amerindian communities .
Foreign Affairs Minister Clement Rohee headed Guyana's team on a 70-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) delegation that visited South Africa from January 26 to 31. The public and private sector officials conferred with their South African counterparts on trade, economic and financial relations between South Africa and each of the Community's 14 member states.
A feasibility study by Northwest Explorations Inc has confirmed large and widespread gold reserves on the US company's 130-square kilometer concession in Guyana's northwest region. Company President Dennis Clement says the discovery will allow for a significant increase in gold mineralization by Northwest Explorations Inc. in 1998.
The Ministry of Education is to work closely with the Cheddi Jagan Children's Fund on the establishment of libraries in primary schools across Guyana. The trustees of the Fund, which was established at the death of President Dr Cheddi Jagan on March 6, 1997, say the libraries will seek to realize Dr Jagan's dream of creating, nurturing and developing a highly educated nation. Donations to the Fund total over $4 million.
The life of Boards of Directors at all government entities has been extended by Cabinet. Many of them had expired at the end of 1997 but the term has now been extended to February 28.
The PPP/Civic administration has promoted the concept of Boards involving representatives of the private and public sectors to assist in the management of the various entities. In addition, the Board of Directors of the Women's Leadership Institute at Belfield, East Coast Demerara was named. Human Services Minister Indra Chandarpal will be the chairperson of the board, consisting of representatives of women's groups, the University of Guyana and related bodies.
For the first time in recent years Guyana has won the top spot in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) regional awards.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Hydar Ally said that Guyana won three of the nine awards, including the number one spot.
Mohanlani Chatterdeo, a Queen's College student won the prize as the best all-round student in CARICOM. The two other Guyanese who won regional awards were President's College's Samantha Scotland and Mahaicony Secondary's Dellon Wilson. The performance of the Guyanese students at the regional level indicates the closing of the gap between Guyanese students and other CARICOM countries' performance at the regional level. During the past three years, the number of CXC passes have been climbing steadily.
An independent audit of Guyana's December 15 elections is being organized by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to verify the results of the poll and ascertain the integrity of the country's electoral process. The audit, to be conducted by a team of internationally-renowned personalities, is one of the "menu of measures" Government and the minority PNC agreed to on January 17, at the initiative of a three-member CARICOM Goodwill Mission, to diffuse a tension-filled atmosphere that gripped Georgetown after the PNC rejected the poll results and vowed to make Guyana "ungovernable." PNC leader Desmond Hoyte says his signature of the CARICOM-brokered agreement does not detract from his party's refusal to acknowledge the existence of a Government in Guyana. But CARICOM Chairman, Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Michelle, asserted in Georgetown recently: "We're all aware that we have to recognize the fact that there is a government in Guyana. I don't think we can duck that particular issue."
The audit is being launched against the backdrop of reports by observer missions from the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Organization of American States, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Electoral Assistance Bureau, that the elections were "free, fair and transparent."
Government is considering the names of the nominees submitted to it by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to make up the team of independent audits who will be verifying the results of Guyana's December 15 polls.
They are Hon. Ulric Croft, former High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago in London and former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Appeals Court; Mr John Justine Daniel, chief elections officer of Saint Lucia; Marsada Elcock, former deputy chief elections officer of Barbados; Ms Carol Jerome Horsford, assistant chief supervisor of elections, Grenada; Mr Noel Lee, former director of elections, Jamaica; Ms Jocelyn Lucas, Trinidad and Tobago's chief elections officer; Mr Frank Phillip, past consultant and former returning officer, Trinidad and Tobago; and Mr Dennis Smith, elections commissioner of Barbados.
President Janet Jagan reassured Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman Dr Keith Mitchell that Government remains committed to the terms of the agreement brokered in Guyana in January by a three-member CARICOM Goodwill Mission. But she said her administration would not be submissive to the disruptive activities of any group seeking to perpetuate conflict or create ethnic divisions in an otherwise peace-loving Guyanese society.
The American, Canadian and British Governments have lifted a travel ban on their citizens to Guyana, following the return of normalcy to Georgetown in the aftermath of post-election violence by mobsters giving shape to the PNC vow to make Guyana "ungovernable."
Guyana is to get US$48.1 million in debt write-offs from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in keeping with an innovative debt relief package drawn up for Guyana by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund under their Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPCI). Guyana, in line for US$253 million to US$500 million in debt forgiveness under the Initiative, qualified on the basis of Government's track record of economic and social reforms and Guyana's continuing need for concessional assistance to accelerate socio-economic growth and human resource development.
The PPP/Civic has presented to the Chief Elections Officer Mr Stanley Singh, its list of national candidates for the National Assembly. It comprises some new faces, including PPP Executive Member Ralph Ramkarran, Dr Cheddi Jagan, Jr, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, veteran PPP campaigner Philomena Sahoye-Shury and boxing promoter Odinga Lumumba.
The PPP/Civic has qualified for 29 seats, the PNC 22 seats, the TUF and the AFG one seat each.
The list of names of the various parties' representatives in the National Assembly have to be submitted before the Guyana Elections Commission publishes the results of the December 15, 1997 election in the Official Gazette. Meanwhile, the necessary legal requirements are being put in place for Parliament to be convened shortly.
The PNC has submitted its list of 22 National Candidates for the National Assembly.
The four parties which won National seats have all submitted their Parliamentary Candidates. Lists for the parties for the Regional Democratic Councils have also been submitted said an official at National Registration Center.
The PNC said that the submission of the lists of names "does not necessarily mean that party will actually take up its seats in the National Assembly immediately or at all."
Guyana's Finance Ministry has acquired the services of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrators (CIAT) to transform Guyana's Inland Revenue Department into a semi-autonomous Revenue Authority with its own board of directors. CIAT's work, which is being funded by the World Bank, includes the preparation of a statement of goals for the authority, job descriptions for board directors, and a manual of personnel rules to address worker performance, job incentives and employee evaluation.
A team of Chinese is going to Guyana around mid-February to rehabilitate and run the state-run Sanata Textiles Mill under a 15-year lease agreement between Government and China's Textiles Industrial Corporation. The Corporation will replace outmoded machinery installed at the mill in 1978 and pay Government an annual fee of US$200,000 to operate the mill.
Representatives of the two main political parties, PPP/Civic and the PNC, met at the office of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and sources said the composition of the audit team was addressed.
Some parties had asked that the choices in the original poll audit team proposed by CARICOM be widened. Sources said the regional group was making efforts to broaden the composition of the team. On January 30, talks were described as "very cordial" and insiders stressed that the envoys from both parties seemed "very willing" to get the ball rolling to implement the "Herdmanston Accord", brokered by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Representing the PPP/Civic were Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon; and Trade Minister, Mr Michael Shree Chan. General Secretary, Mr Aubrey Norton and former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Haslyn Parris represented the PNC.
Luncheon has been identified to communicate with Norton to hammer out critical legislative amendments to make the findings of the audit legally binding.
Chan and Parris have been named as the representatives with plenipotentiary powers to oversee the implementation of all phases of the accord. United Nations Consultant, Mr Hugh Cholmondeley is overseeing the implementation process.
The audit and constitutional reform leading to elections within three years are the critical aspects of the accord the team brokered between the PPP/Civic and the PNC.
Contracts for the cleaning of the Boerasiri Conservancy Canal, the construction of four sluices in Region Four, another four Sluices in Region Two and three sluices in Region Three were approved. These projects are worth more than $150 million. The contracts recently approved, will soon be executed.
Two local businesses have been given the franchise to open branches of PIZZA HUT and the SUBWAY food chain in Guyana. The two popular North American based fast food chains are expected to open in Guyana soon.
The new Belladrum Nursery School is presently under construction and soon a number of students in that area will benefit from the new school. Also the Suddie Police Station has now taken on a new look since the rebuilding of that facility.
Work is in progress on the repairing and resurfacing of upper Camp Street at its intersection with Carifesta Avenue, where Dipcon, the Trinidad-based firm is continuing its contracted works.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of US$2.5 million in non-reimbursable financing for the local health sector. According to a bank statement, the disbursement will help Guyana define and carry out policies that will strengthen its ability to improve medical services.
Another snag has hit the Guyana/Suriname ferry vessel expected to begin its operations this year. This snag is a financial one involving the contractor and sub-contractor and engaging the attention of the courts in Suriname.
Investigators have uncovered links between the explosion which shattered sliding doors at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown and the blast which killed security guard, Seudyal Singh of the National Television Network.. Grenades of a similar type and possibly from the same batch were used in the both incidents.
Major revetment work was recently carried out in Region Five, Perth village, Mahaicony. The work will arrest erosion which leads to damage of the access way. The project cost about $7.5 million. Meanwhile, a new road was constructed at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara to facilitate access to the housing area.
Despite adverse weather conditions and the shortage of bauxite capping and contractors, the Region Six administration achieved 92% of its 1997 community roads rehabilitation program. The program entailed the upgrading of 18 residential streets into "all weather" roads and the rehabilitation of streets into "fair weather" roads. The project cost $51 million.
The Lima Fish Complex on the Essequibo Coast has been leased to a member of the business community. The complex now makes available fuel for fishermen and vehicle owners at an affordable cost. In addition, fishing gear and agricultural equipment can also be easily obtained.
Another housing scheme is quickly taking shape. Through the provision of house lots by the Government, the homeless on the West Coast of Demerara can now build their own houses. This new site of home construction is pacing away in the new Ruimzight Gardens scheme.
In Washington, Foreign Minister Clement Rohee on January 22 addressed the OAS on the CARICOM-brokered accord. He also met with OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria and with leading US State Department officials. On January 13, a special session of the OAS was convened to hear an address by Ambassador Odeen Ishmael on the post-elections situation in Guyana.
Plans are moving ahead for the Mashramani celebrations in Guyana. Two private sector entities Fernleaf, which has long been associated with children's Mash, and the Demerara Tobacco Company, have already chipped in with a grand total of G$6.5 million worth of sponsorship and advertisements. This amount of money has considerably enhanced the Government's contribution of G$4.2 million. The theme this year is 'Let's Celebrate in '98'.
The economy in 1997 has recorded a growth rate of about 6% says Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo. According to the minister, poor weather conditions and the unfavorable international situation in 1997 have not affected economic growth severely. He also noted that other macro-economic targets were met by the PPP/Civic administration.
More than 2,500 consumers between Nos. 66-74 Villages, have already received their service connections from the Guyana Water Authority. These Upper Corentyne villages are now benefitting from a regular and reliable supply of potable water.
Quarry production in Guyana will increase, especially at the Mazaruni Granite Products Inc., a member of the Cummings Group of Companies. The company recently acquired a drill rig worth $42 million. The drill has an out-put capacity of 1.5 million tons per year.
Hundreds of residents in Essequibo are now receiving regular treatment for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension at special clinics set up. Previously, residents had to travel long distances to the Suddie Hospital for related medical treatment.
The first phase of reconstruction of sections of the Mazaruni Prison, gutted in a riot last year, is expected to be completed in May at a cost of about $83 million.
The jamming and interception of police radio signals by opposition elements during the post-election crisis will result in better communications technology for the Guyana Police Force. This year's budget is expected to allocate money to cater for this need.
A new drainage sluice for Leguan was commissioned by Agriculture Minister Reepu Daman Persaud. The cost of the sluice is $5 million.
Three non-governmental organizations have been awarded a total of US$39,300 by the United Nations Development Program to implement a number of rural projects under the UNDP's Partners in Development Program, to reduce poverty among rural inhabitants through grassroots participation.
An American firm, Rand-Whitney, is in the final stages of negotiating a deal for the SAPIL paper plant project on the East Bank of Demerara. When the deal is completed, the overall investment could be about US$7 million.
(Some of the news items in this publication have been provided by the Guyana Information Services)
SPECIAL FEATURE
Hon. Sanford D Bishop, Jr
of Georgia, USA
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Mr Speaker, I rise today to commend the people of the Republic of Guyana for holding multiparty elections on December 15, 1997. By most accounts, based on the observations of international organizations on the day of the elections, the process was free and fair.
I congratulate the Guyanese people for their strong belief in the democratic process as shown by an 88 percent voter turnout.
I regret that factions in the country called for civil disobedience and that there was mass rioting for many days following the elections.
I encourage an audit of the elections by the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM) and call on all parties and opposition leaders to respect the outcome of the audit as the final decision and make a vow to peace and stability in Guyana.
I call on the newly elected President Janet Jagan, a native of Chicago, to respect the rule of law and human rights in this fledgling democracy.
(Mr Bishop is a member of the Black Caucus in the US House of Representatives)
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