The Guyana Update -- June, 1997.


A Monthly Publication of the Embassy of Guyana, Washington DC, USA.


PRESIDENT HINDS SAYS GOVERNMENT IS ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

President Samuel Hinds has brushed aside arguments against Government's ability to attract foreign investments, saying the administration has had to withhold a floodgate of applications in order to institutionalize environmental protection measures before endorsing investments in a natural resource exploitation. "The notion that we are not attracting large-scale investments is misinformed."

President Hinds spoke at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Government and Solid Timbers of Sarawak, East Malaysia, under which the company will be given a two-year exploratory permit to carry out feasibility studies on 760,000 acres of forest land in East Berbice. By the end of that two-year span, Solid Timbers is expected to have determined its options and be ready for full-scale forest harvesting on the concession.

The President said that since the PPP/Civic alliance came to Government, it has received a dozen or so applications from foreign companies for investments in the country's forestry sector. "But our announcement of these applications was met with expressions of concern by various groups which wondered whether we were going ahead with willy-nilly forestry exploitation and not taking environmental and Amerindian issues into consideration. So we took some time out from giving the go-ahead to investments and set in train a process of institutionalizing policies intended to address these environmental concerns and to ensure sustainable development."

Solid Timbers' legal adviser, David Tiong, said the company will be ready to begin work on the concession three months after receiving its exploratory permit from Government and will be investing up to US$250 million on the setting up of an export-manufacturing complex in Berbice


TRADE UNION LEADERS SUPPORT LABOR BILL, CALL FOR UNITY

Trade union leaders have expressed support for Government's Trade Union Recognition Bill and agreed that late President Cheddi Jagan would have wanted them to remain united and speedily endorse the Bill for the benefit of the Guyanese working class. In separate speeches commemorating May Day '97 at the National Park, the trade unionists acknowledged the importance of the Bill in entrenching the right of workers to join a trade union of their choice and to have an employer recognize whichever union the workers choose to represent their interests.

TUC President Gordon Todd told rally participants Dr Jagan was "a true champion of the Guyanese working class and a fighter for the oppressed in Guyana, the Caribbean and beyond." At the request of TUC General Secretary Joseph Pollydore, the huge gathering observed a minute's silence in honor of Dr Jagan's memory.

TUC Vice President Randolph Kirton, a known opponent of the Bill, said that talks currently taking place with Labor Minister Henry Jeffrey could end the impasse on the measure and lead to its rapid passage in Parliament. Second Vice President Komal Chand, who heads the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union, the single biggest trade union in Guyana and the West Indies, endorsed Mr Todd's call for more corporate responsibility in improving the incomes and working conditions of employees, and for greater collaboration among unions.

Mr Todd also urged the country's political parties to note the unity displayed by workers at the May Day parade and appealed for campaigning for the upcoming general elections to be free from racial overtones.

President Samuel Hinds and Minority Leader Desmond Hoyte attended the rally, but in keeping with a decision by the PPP/CIVIC Government in 1993 to end state interference in the organizing of May Day events, neither men spoke.


Saskpower, Government Sign "Letter of Intent"

Government and Sask Power Commercial Inc./J. Kaehne and Associates on May 1 signed a Letter of Intent which has committed the parties to the continuation of talks on a proposal for the Canadian partners to buy into the assets of the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC). SaskPower is the international business subsidiary of Canada's Saskatchewan Power Corporation, whose US$3.2 billion in assets make it one of North America's most successful electric utilities. J. Kaehne & Associates is a major Canadian engineering consultancy.

The signing ceremony concluded several preliminary rounds of face-to-face negotiations that began on March 4 last after SaskPower's bid proposal, an initial investment of US$22.6 million, was chosen on January 29 ahead of two other foreign companies for a joint venture with Government to rehabilitate the country's rundown energy sector.

Subsequent negotiations, scheduled for completion by July this year, will address the terms for SaskPower Commercial Inc. to acquire a 50% equity interest in the GEC, the company's purchase price, the rate of return on its investment, a governing law, corporate governance and the composition of a privatized GEC's board of management.

SaskPower's Vice President Adam Hedayat said at the signing that "SaskPower Commercial looks forward to partnering with the Government of Guyana and the employees of the Guyana Electricity Corporation to offer operating experience, training and technology, to make the GEC an efficient, effective and successful electric utility responsive to the needs of the Guyanese citizens."


Guyana in Line for IMF Debt Relief Package

Guyana has been cited by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as one of several countries earmarked for early inclusion in a Fund-managed multi-billion dollar initiative to ease the debt burden of some of the world's poorest nations. On the heels of indications by a visiting IMF/World Bank team that Guyana was likely to be declared eligible for debt relief under the initiative, IMF' director Jack Boorma says Guyana, like Mozambique, could "be on the agenda reasonably quickly."

Guyana's inclusion is expected to result in its foreign debt being reduced by a further US$110 million. The aid relief package, put together last year by the two multilateral institutions and the Paris Club of creditor nations amid calls for more help for debt-strapped developing nations, aims at writing off a substantial percentage of the foreign debt owed to those agencies by about 20 of the world's highly indebted poor states over four years.

In early May, in Washington, Finance Minister Bharat Jagdeo and Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Odeen Ishmael, met with IMF officials to discuss this issue.


GAC Flies to Trinidad From May 26

The Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) began a new route on May 26, flying from Georgetown, Guyana to Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago where passengers will have an onward connection to the Caribbean and North America.

The Guyana Airways Corporation announced that "this twice weekly service will operate on Mondays and Saturdays, utilizing its Boeing 757 aircraft. The Monday flights which will continue on to Miami, will give both business persons and visitors the option of arriving in Trinidad very early in the morning, a whole day either for business or visiting with relatives and friends, and the ability of returning to Guyana in the evening," according to a GAC statement.

GAC has also announced that its Saturday flights will operate early in the afternoon so passengers can make timely connections in Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent, Tobago and Europe.

A "code-sharing" arrangement between Guyana and Suriname Airways is in operation.

In the meanwhile, talks will be held in Georgetown between GAC and Suriname Airways to allow the use of GAC and SLM tickets on either carrier's flight without the need of having them endorsed prior to traveling. Tourism and Consumers' Affairs Minister, Shree Chan, has long been calling for this new arrangement.


Prime Minister Assures Private Sector of Continued Partnership

Prime Minister Janet Jagan has assured corporate executives that the PPP/Civic Government will continue to value its partnership with the private sector and that the administration will work to provide it with the appropriate triggering mechanisms to facilitate its role as the engine of growth.

In a message prepared for the inclusion in a Private Sector Commission report on Government and the Private Sector, Mrs Jagan said Guyana's economic successes over the past four-and-a-half years, through a clear manifestation of prudent policies and sound governmental leadership, "could not have been possible without a private sector -- our partner in development -- eager to capture the various opportunities presented and to expand its role in the Guyanese economy."

Added the Prime Minister: "We are now experiencing unprecedented all-round growth and development in Guyana. There are, however, many challenges that lie ahead and the private sector must continue to fulfill its role as an exemplary corporate partner with the Government on various development initiatives, most of which is the completion of our country's National Development Strategy. All Guyana stand to benefit from this document, to which the Guyanese private sector has contributed as part of our wide consultations. The PPP/Civic Government looks forward to strengthening our partnership in the year ahead so that all our people can enjoy an enhanced and comfortable standard of living."


President to Meet Quarterly with Private Sector

Guyana's Private Sector Commission will meet quarterly with President Samuel Hinds and monthly with sector ministers in a bid to consolidate the process of collaboration and reciprocal support that has marked the relationship between Government and business since late 1992.

The decision to continue regular Government-business dialogue emerged from a meeting President Hinds and Prime Minister Jagan had recently with the newly-elected head of the Private Sector Commission, Mr Yesu Persaud.


PSU Briefs Prime Minister on Race Relations

Prime Minister of Guyana Janet Jagan was briefed by representatives of the Guyana Public Service Union (PSU) on efforts to create a Race Relations Committee in the union. Mrs. Jagan, who was at the time acting as President in the absence of President Hinds, met with the team at the request of the PSU and discussed plans by the union to form the race relations committee which will help to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the public service.

The union was urged by Mrs. Jagan to work in collaboration with the impending National Race Relations Commission, with which the union was in favor of and expressed support for the Government's initiative.


President Hinds at CARICOM/US Summit

President Samuel Hinds joined Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government for their historic CARICOM/US Summit with US President Bill Clinton in Barbados. It was President Hinds' first meeting with regional heads since assuming the Presidency on March 6 on the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan.

President Hinds was accompanied by Foreign Minister Clement Rohee and Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo. The Heads of State and Government held a special consultation on May 7, three days before the May 10 summit, to finalize decisions on who would be the spokesperson for each of the topics -- external trade, economic aid, immigration, security, narco-trafficking and money laundering -- all of which were on the summit agenda.


Private Gold Trading Made Legal

President Samuel Hinds has assented to an order making it legal for private enterprise to buy and export raw gold. The order ends a virtual state monopoly that restricted the purchase and export of gold to the Guyana Gold Board. Only Omai Gold Mines Limited, a Canadian company, was permitted to export gold apart from the Gold Board.

Eight enterprises which have applied for permits to buy raw gold from miners have now been formally issued with one-year licenses to buy and export gold. These are Mazda Mining, Stanislaus Jardine, Patrick Pereira Trading and Supply, King's Jewellery World, Hilco Gold, Sheik Diamond Enterprise, M. Beepat & Sons Limited, and Suresh Lall


Guyana and Suriname Strengthen Ties

Guyana and Suriname are to begin work almost immediately on strengthening bilateral ties. Officials attending the Fifth Session of the Guyana/Suriname Cooperation Council agreed in Georgetown at the end of April to conduct studies on bilateral cooperation in developing their countries' hydro power potentials, bauxite industries, cross-border trading and a single market and economy mechanism, and to submit their findings at a meeting scheduled for November.

The three-day Council meeting was headed by Foreign Minister Clement Rohee and his Surinamese counterpart Faried Pierkhan. Both delegations resolved to intensify bilateral collaboration in accelerating economic, technical and sociocultural cooperation, and in securing support for a proposed Regional Integration Fund, an initiative envisioned by late President Cheddi Jagan to cushion the economies of vulnerable developing countries from liberalized hemispheric trade.


"Culture Month"

The month of May was celebrated as "Culture Month" after being given this designation by the Department of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Social Development. Events commemorating the Month included a national music festival, Indian Immigration Day celebrations (May 5), performances at the National Cultural Center by the National School of Dance, a calypso competition, workshops on the kindling and preservation of a national Guyanese identity, a five-day exhibition of Guyanese commodities at the Umana Yana, a teen beauty pageant, family-oriented programs, and the launching of a reprint of the second edition of Martin Carter's poems. Culture Month activities also included another Hands Uniting Guyana (HUG) event on Independence Day, May 26.


$39.5M Road Commissioned

President Sam Hinds has commissioned another road in rural Guyana, telling invitees at a brief commissioning ceremony that the rehabilitated thoroughfare construction is concrete evidence that the PPP/CIVIC administration is committed to taking Guyana firmly on the road to development into the 21st century.

President Hinds, who was garlanded by residents as he arrived for the commissioning ceremony, said the PPP/CIVIC alliance wanted to work side-by-side with the Guyanese people after the general elections, since the people's best hope was a partnership with a government that was sensitive to their needs. He also reiterated his government's desire for the establishment of partnerships with foreign investors, assuring entrepreneurs that any investment, singularly or in partnership with Guyanese, would be "mutually fulfilling."

The road, at Coghlan Dam at Pouderoyen on the West Bank of Demerara, was built at a cost of $39.5 million, $19.5 million of the total coming from the Basic Needs Trust Fund, a quick-response aid agency set up by the Ministry of Finance to support rural development projects. Once an impassable road, the one and a quarter-mile thoroughfare will now assure residents a farm-to-market access, improve inter-community communication, and give Pouderoyen and Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) an economic face-lift. The construction of the road has also allowed the Guyana Water Authority to resupply the community with potable water for the first time in 17 years.


PPP/Civic Proposes Removal of 'Socialism' from New Constitution

The ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic alliance says it wants the ideology of socialism precluded from a new or reformed constitution that is to replace the one decreed in 1980 by the former PNC regime.

In its submissions to the public forum reviewing the 1980 document, the PPP/Civic alliance says many of the provisions in the existing constitution that espouses 'cooperative socialism' and 'the transition of Guyana to a Cooperative Republic' "do not accord with the Guyanese reality and are too contentious to be included in a new or reformed constitution... We would therefore support the modification of this section of the constitution by deleting references to 'socialism', 'socialist democracy', 'national planning' and other similar ideas which are unacceptable."

It also proposed that the country be named the Republic of Guyana and no longer the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. "It has always been incorrect," adds the alliance, "to characterize Guyana's social and economic stage as one of transition from capitalism to socialism." It said the term "Cooperative Republic" was "a derisory attempt to foster the concept of a 'cooperative socialism' which was not and has never been accepted by Guyanese."

The public forum is being hosted by an all-party Committee appointed by Parliament in 1994 to review the present constitution and make recommendations for its reform.


Education Ministry Updates School Curriculum

New Curriculum Guides have been printed for nursery, primary and secondary schools.

Head of the Ministry of Education's Curriculum Development and Implementation Unit, Mr Mohandatt Goolsaran, said that accompanying the guides are locally produced textbooks, teachers' manuals and other learning resources

Mr Goolsaran added : "To widen the scope of curriculum delivery, educational programs are aired on radio and television. The use of distance mode is to further enhance curriculum delivery to remote hinterland areas."

"The Curriculum has been expanded to include Information Technology at the primary and secondary levels. This is necessary since the pace of development quickens at a rate that is likely to threaten our ability to respond with equal measure," Mr Goolaran added.


GUYAID Activities in Guyana

Representatives of Guyanese Assisting in Development (GUYAID), a Washington DC community group, will be visiting Guyana from June 28 to July 12, 1997. Among the activities planned would be the presentation of prizes for the Annual Essay Competition among primary and secondary schools, and the adoption of Ithaca Primary School, West Bank Berbice. GUYAID will also make donations to YMCA, the Dharam Shala, the Public Library, and Queenstown Primary School in Essequibo.


Shahabuddeen Elected to War Crimes Tribunal

Eminent Guyanese attorney Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen has been elected to a seat on the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia after intense lobbying by Guyana's Foreign Affairs Ministry and its Permanent Mission in New York. The former Attorney General won election to the Tribunal by 127 of a possible 165 votes cast for the post.

Dr Shahabuddeen and eight other judges will preside over the trials of persons indicted with committing war crimes against humanity during the bloody war in the former Yugoslavia.


US$56M from EU to Boost Linden Economy

The European Union has approved the sum of US$56.5 million for Guyana to co-finance Government's plan to build, diversify and develop the economy of the mining town of Linden. Head of the EU Delegation in Guyana, John Caloghirou, said the Union would most likely increase the sum if projects submitted to it by Government would require additional funding .

An initial allocation of US$39 million, all of it grants, will go toward rebuilding Linden's water supply system, electricity and agriculture infrastructures, improving the career skills of Lindeners, and turning the mining town into an industrial zone.


Foreign Ministry Initiates TV Round Table

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has inaugurated a television roundtable in keeping with a decision by the PPP/Civic administration to bring Guyana's foreign policy into the public domain.

The program, titled "Towards the 21st Century", will feature Foreign Minister Clement Rohee, top Foreign Affairs Ministry officers, members of the diplomatic corps in Guyana, representatives of regional and international organizations, members of academia, private sector leaders, and public officials, in a series of discussions on Guyana's position on a wide range international issues. Topics already identified for the roundtable include ACP/EU relations, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), the reform of the United Nations, the Helms/Burton Act, the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, CARICOM/US ties, and the role of Guyana's foreign missions in forging bilateral and multilateral relations and in accelerating socioeconomic growth in Guyana.


Elections Commission Vets List

The Elections Commission has vetted the list of registrants who will be 18 years old by September 30 and the list has already been made available to all political parties. This preliminary voters' list will be ready for public scrutiny from June 1. The Elections Commission announced earlier that preparations are proceeding apace for the managing of the Claims and Objections period, which will last from June 1 to 27.

The list contains the names of 480,000 persons, 97,000 more than the 383,000 persons who voted at the historic October 5, 1992 general elections that returned democratic rule to Guyana.


Indian Arrival Monument

A bronze sculpture of the "Whitby" -- the ship which brought the first batch of Indian indentured immigrants to Guyana -- was unveiled on May 5 at a ceremony attended by President Sam Hinds, Prime Minister Janet Jagan, members of the Cabinet and members of the diplomatic corps.

Located in a garden-like surrounding at the corner of Camp and Church Streets in Georgetown, the bronze-sculptured boat weighs 3,500 kilograms, measures 3.5 meters by 3 meters and stands on a black granite pedestal. The realization of the Monument Garden was the work of the Indian Commemoration Trust Foundation of Guyana.

The monument costing $G4.4 million, is a gift from the Government of India to the people of Guyana. Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Narendra Kumar, said it was a promise of former Indian Vice President and now President, Dr. Shankar Dyal Sharma, while on a visit to Guyana in 1988. At the unveiling ceremony, the High Commissioner read a message from the President of India, who expressed his happiness at the unveiling of the monument.


Michigan Senate Pays Tribute to President Jagan

The Michigan State Senate unanimously passed a resolution expressing its "respect and gratitude" to Guyana's late President Cheddi Jagan and expressing sympathy to his relatives and the Government and people of Guyana on his passing. The Senate State Resolution No. 55 entitled "A resolution Memorializing the Life of Dr. Cheddi Jagan" was sponsored by 36 Senators, including Senator Philip Hoffman, Vice-President of the Michigan Senate, and was adopted on May 13.

The resolution pointed out that President Jagan returned to power in 1992 "with a commitment to improving relations with the United States, the protection of human rights, and to creating an improved mixed financial system to heal the nation's battered economy."

The Senate emphasized that "Dr. Jagan's leadership in the promotion of economic partnerships with several individual states of the United States of America has resulted in Guyana's economy having one of the highest growth rates in Latin America and the Caribbean."

The resolution also saluted the late President for "his service to the citizens of Guyana and for his commitment to cooperation and friendship with the United States of America."


Barbados Expected to Lift Ban on Guyana Fruits

A team of Barbadian fruit importers and experts recently inspected areas in Guyana from where their imports originate and have found no trace of the pink mealy bug. The exporters of the fruits to Barbados said that the inspection was carried out in the Canals Polder and other areas resulting in the Barbadian importers expressing their satisfaction that their imports would not be infested with the bugs.

The importers are expected to resume their purchase of fruits shortly. Antigua and Barbuda, the other Caribbean territory that has banned fruits and vegetables from Guyana, is yet to send a team to carry out similar checks.

Recently, some 209 locations were found to have been infested with the pink mealy bug, and the Ministry of Agriculture has been able to successfully cleanse 200 of them..


Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri

Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri is now the official name of Guyana's only international airport. The name change was approved by Parliament recently. The opposition PNC which vehemently opposed the measure walked out of Parliament before the vote was taken. During the debate, critics of the renaming of the airport accused the Government of insulting the Amerindian section of the population by removing the name "Timehri" from the airport. However, supporters of the measure pointed to the fact that almost every landmark in Guyana has an Amerindian name. Even the entire country has an Amerindian name, the supporters emphasized during the debate. While some Amerindians expressed opposition to the change of name, large numbers of Amerindians in interior villages voiced their support for it saying that it was the best way Amerindians could pay tribute to their fallen leader.

A plaque bearing the new name of the airport was unveiled on May 21 by Prime Minister Janet Jagan.


The Government of Norway has donated US$101,918 through the World Food Program(WFP) for the purchase of a wide range of farming implements to improve crop husbandry in hinterland communities. Norway's assistance will allow Amerindian farmers in Guyana's distant regions to transform subsistence farming into commercial food production.

Amerindian village captains in Regions Two, Three, Five and Ten met in Georgetown to look at the demarcation of Amerindian land areas. The Captains met with the Amerindian Land Task Force responsible for the demarcation of Amerindian areas. As a result of the discussions, a number of liaison officers were appointed to work with the Captains and the Task Force. This consultation followed similar discussions held in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine.

The Berbice road work has resumed. The supply of bauxite capping from Kwakwani, Berbice River, to the Corentyne Coast has enabled the resumption of the road building works in East Berbice.

Guyana's Parliament has unanimously approved amendments to the country's Companies Act of 1991 to make it legal for companies to resume use of the word "Limited" as part of their names. Until May 22, 1997 the Companies Act of 1991 made it mandatory for "Incorporated" to become part of the name of each company, whether or not the word diminished the brand name or image of that company.

OMAI Gold Mines Limited processed its millionth ounce of gold on May 16, four years after the Canadian company began operations in Guyana. The milestone put OMAI's production to date as worth US$390 million. The company projects producing 343,105 ounces of gold this year.

Phase Two of the Guyana Sea Defense Rehabilitation Program at No 79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice is in progress. The 600-meter rip-rap designed construction also entails installation of geo-textile filter fabrics to protect back-filled materials and casting of boulder to break the force of the sea-waves.

The Guyana Elections Commission concluded a two-day retreat, during which the parties discussed matters pertaining to the upcoming poll. During the session, parties received their copies of the List of Registrants on computer diskettes.

President Sam Hinds has commissioned a brand new US$1.26 million 69KV transmission line at the GEC's Sophia Control Center. It will enable the power company to fully utilize the 35 megawatts of power available from Garden of Eden to enhance the electricity supply in the Demerara system.

Furniture Manufacturers, Courts Ltd., recently launched "Outreach 2000", its community care program, through which it intends to spend over $100 million in various projects in communities throughout Guyana between 1997 and the year 2001. Minister of Labor Henry Jeffrey delivered the featured address at the session.

The Japanese Government has handed over US$3 million (300 million yen) worth of hardware for the electrification of 17 villages in Berbice. The equipment which Japan has given to Guyana as part of its Grant-Aid Program also include transformers and conductors that will allow for the linking of these villages to the country's national electricity grid, The 17 villages will begin enjoying electricity for the first time during the latter half of 1997.

Surama, located in North Rupununi, is now producing cassava and its by-products as an income-generating activity. The facility to process the products was officially launched recently. The operation includes fields for the cultivation of cassava, a nursery for plant propagation, and two buildings for storage and production activities.

Comptroller of Customs, Lloyd Forde, said investigations into the missing $100,000 and its late discovery have led to the dismissal of a cashier. The cash was discovered missing a few weeks ago and when the investigation began the cash was replaced. The officer was subsequently dismissed by the department. There has been an ongoing battle to rid the Customs Department of corrupt elements.

The Guyana Electricity Corporation is now gearing up for the next phase of the electricity improvement project which is transmission and distribution after installing the new 69 KV transmission line which is in operation. As part of its preparation the company has purchased pole-planting equipment such as a vehicle which will speed-up the planting of poles and reduce the labor content.

In about eight months time Guyana is expected to have a Stock Exchange. This announcement was made by Yesu Persaud, chairman of Demerara Distillers Ltd at the annual shareholders meeting.

Road works are underway at Campbell Street, Kitty as part of the Government's city-wide road program. Central Government estimates that US$20 million may be needed to rebuild roads in the capital city but Finance Minister Jagdeo assured if more is needed the Government will be willing to provide it. Meanwhile, various parts of Georgetown are benefitting from the road program.

A new well being drilled at Lenora is near completion. The well to cost $20 million is provided by Central Government.

Region Nine (Rupununi) recently saw the establishment of its sixth nursery school. The school located at Potarinau, which is 50 miles from Lethem, caters for 38 students and will satisfy the long need in the community.

Two local airlines, Roraima Airways Limited and Kayman Sankar Aviation Limited have been granted permission to operate charter services between Timehri and two Suriname airports.

The Transport and Harbors Department and local shipbuilders, the Guyana National Industrial Company, have signed a contract for the rehabilitation of the MV Torani.

Construction is presently underway on a school building at Kamarang, in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), for the benefit of school children in that area. The new structure will replace the present old Kamarang Primary School, which currently conducts classes for its 144 students.

Finance Minister , Mr Bharrat Jagdeo said the government plans to extend a credit program to poor citizens through a US$10 million IFDA loan scheme.

Seven of the eight business persons implicated in the billion-dollar gold scam unearthed in 1995, appeared before Chief Magistrate K. Juman-Yassin each facing two compulsory charges. All pleaded not guilty and were placed on $9 million bail. These business persons are Stephen Deleon, Lillman Sookdeo, Ramjeet Ramphal, Raymanand Parmanand, Paul Shamichar James, Bernard Shaw and Mohamed Saheed. The only female in the set, Margaret Ouderk, was absent.

Election Commission Chairman, Mr Doodnauth Singh insisted that there is need for parties contesting the upcoming general elections be regulated and therefore they must pay a deposit. The mushrooming of many tiny political parties and the possibility of more than 20 in the elections have spawned operational problems for the Commission including getting ballot paper big enough to hold all the names of the groups and boxes to hold enough huge ballots.

Working People's Alliance (WPA) Member of Parliament, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, is calling for an early meeting with the National Assembly to discuss the privatization of the Guyana Electricity Corporation. He said he had reason to request the meeting to discuss the lack of transparency surrounding the process.

UNESCO has approved the sum of US$55,000 for the training of media workers in Guyana.


COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Information on Guyana, INTERNET users may check the WEB SITE on GUYANA NEWS AND INFORMATION at: https://guyana.org. This site is also linked to other useful Guyana sites. The Embassy's E-mail address is: [email protected]


Videos of Funeral of President Cheddi Jagan

1. Farewell Great Warrior and 2. State Funeral of President Jagan -- $19.95 each, plus $3 S&H. Phone 1-800-797-6844 or 1-954-797-6844 for credit card and other orders. (GTV Videos)


Religious Activities

Hindu Dharmic Sabha . (301) 699-9573

Maryland Hindu Milan Mandir. Call (301) 593-7638


Islamic Society of the Washington Area. Call 301-588-3650.

Reminder to Guyanese Nationals -

Please ensure that your PASSPORTS are VALID. Do not wait until emergencies arise before you check these documents.

VACANCY

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the following Vacant Position of PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST with Government of Guyana/IDB Primary Education Improvement Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A recognized University degree or equivalent qualification.

A post-graduate degree in Management or Economics would be an asset

At least (5) years experience in procurement procedures preferably in international projects (IDB)

REMUNERATION : Salaries negotiable

Submit a complete Curriculum Vitae, copies of academic certificates and other qualifications and the names of (2) references to : The Director,

Primary Education Improvement Program, 109 Barima Avenue,

Bel Air Park, Georgetown, GUYANAFOR 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: (954) 797-6844, Fax: (954) 797-7603

TEXAS: Ms Terry Reis, Honorary Consul

Tel: (713) 497-4466, Fax: (713) 497-4476

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

OHIO: Mrs Nazima Ahmed (Trade Rep)

Tel (216) 752 - 8746 Fax: (216) 752 - 1070

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