The Guyana Update -- June, 1998.

CARICOM Audit Commission Finds no Fraud in the December Elections

The seven-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team which audited the December 15 elections found no fraud, the group announced on June 2.

In its report, the audit team said it found no "fraudulent ballots" among the more than 400,000 in the 1,843 boxes used in the elections.

The mission, led by former Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago Ulric Cross, said its recount of the votes "varied only marginally" from the results declared by the Guyana Elections Commission on December 19.

The Elections Commission results gave victory to the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) and its presidential candidate Mrs Janet Jagan but this was challenged by the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) led by former President Desmond Hoyte.

Violence and rising tensions from PNC street demonstrations against the declared results in Georgetown led CARICOM to dispatch a goodwill mission to Guyana in January.

The CARICOM team brokered the Herdmanston 'peace' Accord between the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) alliance and the PNC which covered the independent probe of the December polls by the audit team.

Cross formally presented his group's report to President Jagan, Hoyte and leaders of other political parties which ran in the December elections, at a ceremony at the Ocean View Hotel, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, just after noon on June 2.

Hoyte has refused to recognize the legitimacy of Mrs Jagan as President and remained sitting while others in the audience rose to greet the President on her arrival for the formalities.

The auditors in their two-month check found flaws but said in their report "no significant difference in the result of the count was found."

Here is the summary of findings of the Audit Commission at conclusion of Stage 1:

"1. The Audit Commission's examination of 1843 boxes of ballots cast in all 10 regions did not reveal any fraudulent ballots. The secret code was evident in all ballots scrutinized.

2. With respect to Statements of Poll -- General and Regional Elections -- (Regions 4 and 6), the CAC found that the majority for both regions were originals, having signatures by Presiding Officers; there were some photocopies.

3. In respect of voter identification cards, there was no evidence of fraud in their use. During the Elections, ID cards were held to be suspect as under the ultraviolet light, the secret features on the face of the cards could not be seen. However, under a magnifying glass they were found to have two secret features on the reverse side. A canister uplifted from the Office of Omai Gold Mines Limited, located in Georgetown, was found to contain 18 ID cards which were in order and for which receipts were included from persons who had returned them without voting according to the requirements of the law. The cards were collected on foot from people in outlying areas in Eteringbang/Cuyuni resulting in a significant delay in their return (the stipulated period being "within 30 days").

4. Regarding the observance of Article 84(i) of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, all Returning Officers failed to publicly declare the results of votes cast at the polls. The results having been authenticated at the polling place by the Presiding Officer in the presence of Polling Agents and candidates, were generally sent to the Command Centre in Georgetown. This procedure was not based on law but was aimed at accelerating the conveyance of results for early preliminary announcement.

5. The CAC found that the results of their recount varied only marginally from that of the final results declared by the Chief Elections Officer.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Electoral Audit (CARICOM Agreement) Act 1998 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the findings of the first stage of the Audit carried out by the CARICOM Audit Commission.

Dated this 30th day of May 1998.

P.L.U. Cross (signed)

Chairman"

The first stage of the audit covered a review of the count of the votes after the December 15 elections to ascertain the votes cast for the 10 political parties which contested.

The second stage of the probe which started late March and ended last week was an audit of the electoral process, including the post-balloting phase.

President Jagan and Hoyte have agreed to be bound by the findings of the audit.

The foreword of the report said many observers "would have seen for themselves and shared the experience of the exhaustive review and recording of the contents of the 1,843 ballot boxes used in the elections.

"Based on this method, evidence of many procedural omissions, irregularities and systemic difficulties was found and it is clear that these provided the basis for suspicion.

"The auditors examined and recorded the information in a systematic process, and although rejected ballots were revisited and awarded, no significant difference in the result of the count was found;

"Errors of omission in favor of no one side were discovered which made it impossible to support the views casting suspicion on the young computer experts of Guyana, the private sector or any particular institutions or ethnic constituency", the Cross team found.

The foreword ended: "The shortcomings were indeed many and varied and it is imperative that any future systems confront the issues raised and recommendations offered for strengthening and strictly observing processes indispensable to the system as a whole and to the authenticity of the count in particular."

The PNC had claimed that the elections were riddled with flaws that cast doubts on the electoral process.

The audit team said the December elections "were widely regarded as a test of the solidity of re-emergent democratic life and fair elections practices, a concern fostered by new ideas of good governance, the need for inclusive politics and the imperative of leaving behind the culture which interprets the winning of a major party as the subordination of one race by another."

The report "revisits the count of the elections results and related issues of authenticity and systemic processes."

The team said its findings in the report "must be seen in this context with the basic principles of good governance, good order, peace and social stability kept uppermost in people's minds.

"For the work of the CARICOM Audit Commission is less about who won or lost than on the integrity of a fundamental process for sustaining democratic life and people participation in the choice of its leaders."

CARICOM Chairman, Grenada Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell flew to Guyana on June 2 for the presentation of the report to the leaders by Cross.

Both major parties have pledged to be bound by the findings of the audit team.

President Says: "Let Us Move On"

The following is the text of the President's address to the nation on the evening of June 2:

I want to speak to you about an important development which took place today.

Just around noon, in the presence of Prime Minister and Chairman of the Caribbean Community, Dr Keith Mitchell, I was presented with the final results of the audit of the December 15 general and regional elections which was carried out by the CARICOM audit team, headed by Mr Ulric Cross of Trinidad and Tobago.

In accordance with the Herdmanston Accord and relevant legislation passed by our Parliament, the audit team recounted all ballots and examined procedures relating to the conduct of the elections.

The independent audit distinctly shows that their examination of 1,843 boxes of ballots cast in all 10 regions did not reveal any fraudulent ballots. They further found that the results of their recount differed marginally from the results of the December 15 elections announced by the Chief Elections Officer, Mr Stanley Singh.

For us, it is clear that the elections were in fact free and fair and represented the will of the Guyanese electorate.

Signatories to the Herdmanston Accord have agreed that the findings of the audit will be binding.

I, as President of the Republic, and the person who signed on behalf of the PPP/Civic, now wish to put on record my acceptance of these findings.

All Guyanese have waited for the completion of the audit and can now breathe a sigh of relief that this event is behind us.

The question uppermost in the minds of our people is: Where do we go from here?

It is my firm belief that we are a mature nation and we can solve our problems as they arise.

On reflecting on our most recent history, we cannot avoid the conclusion that it gave rise to tension which was doing our nation no good. But above all it was a period that required tolerance.

Now that this period is over, the thing for us to do is to continue with our lives and the building of a nation in peace and harmony.

This is not a time for victors and losers. We are all victims of under development and we must as one people, push on to rid ourselves of economic backwardness.

At the same time, we need to develop our national institutions in such a way that all Guyanese can feel involved and partake equally in the benefits accruing from our national efforts.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who over the past period worked, organized and prayed for peace and harmony of our people.

I want to give special thanks to all the civic organizations which took a stand in favor of peaceful resolution of our problems and spoke out against disruption of the lives of people.

In particular, I want to thank the Private Sector Commission, the Trades Union Congress, the religious community and our Disciplined Forces and their leadership.

But most of all I want to thank the Guyanese people who showed good sense, calm and maturity during this period.

The friendship and solidarity extended to Guyana by the leaders of CARICOM, especially Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and special envoys Sir Henry Forde, Sir Shridath Ramphal and Sir Alister McIntyre, will not be forgotten.

We are grateful for the visit of Prime Ministers P.J. Patterson, Basdeo Panday, Owen Arthur and Dr Kenneth Anthony.

In a major way, this experience has brought us ever closer and this augurs well for us as a community trying to grapple with common objectives aimed at the betterment of the lives of our people. I thank them on your behalf.

Also, members of the audit team have our gratitude for having completed a most difficult task in the specified time and in a most professional manner.

Our appreciation for all those who cooperated with the team in making its work successful, especially the Guyana Elections Commission, its Chairman, Mr Doodnauth Singh, Chief Election Officer Stanley Singh and staff.

Our nation now stands tall in the world for opening our elections to the most thorough scrutiny. Now let us move on.

The audit is completed and the results are now known. The PPP/Civic, as the lawfully elected government, extends a hand of friendship to all Guyanese. We remain willing to engage their political representatives and social partners in discussions on serious national issues.

As you know, I have expressed the need for the two major political parties, the PPP/Civic and the PNC, to work together in discharging their electoral mandate.

In the past, I had indicated willingness to meet Mr Desmond Hoyte and I am still committed to such a meeting.

The welfare of Guyana requires cooperation at the highest levels. Let us reach out to make this possible through dialogue.

I appeal to all Guyanese to continue to live and work in peace and harmony.

Audit Results Reflect People's Will

Chairman of the CARICOM Audit Commission, Mr Ulric Cross, says that according to the recount of votes by his seven-man team, the final results declared from the December 15 elections represent the will of the people.

"Seeing, as we have already reported, the difference between our ballot figures and those of the Elections Commission were marginal, I don't think that it casts any doubt. I think the result, according to our count does reflect the will of the Guyanese people," Cross declared in an interview with the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).

At a press conference on June 2 with CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell, Cross said his team was not mandated to validate the elections.

He said it would be difficult for him to say whether one person sat down and put x's on votes against one political party, but as the audit team's records showed, the final declaration by the Chief Elections Officer was correct.

Referring to his correction on June 4 of a conclusion in the audit team's report, Cross said the Audit Commission counted only voter identification cards it found, but he stood by the erratum released.

"I think there was an error in saying that a significant number of electors voted without voter identification cards. Once you said that is the situation, that is incorrect," the Audit Commission Head emphasized.

He, however, contended that as the audit report found, there was a great deal of administrative problems in the electoral process.

"Cards were in envelopes and it seemed to me...there was a great deal of incompetence in the process," Cross said.

He added that at no time during his team's recount of ballots and the check into voter ID cards, did any political party observing the process make any objections.

"There was not a single ID card that was not counted in the presence of members (of political parties) and figures were read out to them. Nobody protested," Cross reported.

"They were all there. We only counted, both of ballot papers and of voter identification cards, in the presence of representatives of the parties. Instead of just plain observing, some of the representatives even assisted in separating some of the ID cards. They didn't assist in the counting but they certainly were present when all the counting was done."

With the correction to the report, the number of ballots that could not be reconciled with ID cards for Region Six will be about 2,500.

Cross' erratum to the report has brought the total number of unreconciled votes from 45,275 in the test count to about 18,000 - about three per cent of the electorate.

Cross added that persons were free to extract various things in the report, noting that what was not in the summary was in the body of the document.

"The body of the report - people have it. If there are other things which are not in the summary...they are in the report and they can extract them," Cross said.

PNC Wants "Political Talks"

The PNC wants talks with the governing PPP/Civic on an "acceptable and lasting political solution", following the release of the CARICOM audit report on the December 15 elections.

PNC leader, Mr Desmond Hoyte, at a press conference, called on the PPP/Civic to "commit itself in good faith to the dialogue envisaged by the (Herdmanston) Accord and agree on an agenda and pursue it with diligence and a sense of responsibility".

Hoyte said his party "is ready and prepared to engage in a process of political engagement that would bring about an acceptable and lasting political solution".

The press conference at the PNC Congress Place, Georgetown headquarters was attended by scores of party supporters.

General Secretary of the PNC, Mr Aubrey Norton, has written Mr Donald Ramotar, General Secretary of the PPP, inviting the governing party to the "conference table to begin such talks", Hoyte said.

Stressing the need for dialogue, he said Guyana has serious political problems and the administration cannot continue to govern "as if it is business as usual".

He said that if the situation is not reversed Guyana will "collapse economically and politically".

The Government must expedite the process of constitutional reform which is essential to the success of the accord to resolve political and social problems which are "endangering our society and our country", he said.

All Guyanese, the PNC leader said, have a "joint responsibility" to be part of the process of nation building and reconciliation.

Explaining his party's stance on the audit report, Hoyte said the PNC accepts its findings but maintains its rejection of Mrs Janet Jagan as President.

In addition, the PNC is not required to take up its seats in Parliament, Hoyte explained.

This decision remains solely the prerogative of the "leadership of the party", he stressed.

President Appeals for Understanding and Tolerance

President Janet Jagan in her address on the country's 32^nd anniversary of Independence appealed for talks with other groups on the country current problems, pledging that the Government and the PPP/Civic alliance were ready to sit and discuss national issues and find common solutions.

"This is a time for understanding and tolerance. This is a time to renew our faith in our people and country and to pledge, like those who fought for our freedoms, to build a united, prosperous and free Guyana", she urged.

She added that,"our young democratic culture could sometimes come under tremendous strain if we are not careful about the way in which we conduct ourselves."

She declared that her administration and the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) are committed to "a peaceful resolution of all issues as they arise."

"We are ready to sit and discuss national issues and find common solutions. As President of the Republic, I have extended a hand of friendship to all. At this time all of us should forget our affiliations and prejudices and extend a hand of friendship to other Guyanese."

President Jagan noted it "takes two hands to clap" and "Cooperation is by no means a one-way process and our desire for compromise should not be confused with either weakness, fears and doubts whatsoever about our own understanding of governance based on the freely expressed will of the electorate."

She is optimistic Guyanese will overcome their problems but warned that international support for Guyana's development depends on stability here.

"Whether we like it or not, the world community will pass judgement on us and will condition their responses accordingly. We have nothing to gain from isolation and ill will. We need continued goodwill and friendship from all."

President Jagan said Guyana has to maintain "levels of stability and investor-friendliness which are conducive to international business."

She said that over the past few months she has listened to people from all walks of life and "I can say with certainty that the overwhelming sentiment throughout this land is for us to find practical and mature ways of dealing with problems."

"I put my hope in the innate goodness of the human spirit: as Guyanese we are products of a history that teaches us that though we come from different lands, our destiny, out of necessity, lies in our oneness.

"This is the only way we will survive and achieve levels of prosperity which others, less endowed, currently enjoy."

Guyana at OAS General Assembly

Foreign Minister Clement Rohee led Guyana's delegation to the 28^th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Caracas, Venezuela on June 1-3. Guyana's delegation included Ambassador Odeen Ishmael, Permanent Representative to the OAS, and Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela, Baney Karran. On June 1, Rohee updated the hemispheric body on the Guyanese political situation which drew much interest especially since the CARICOM audit was expected to be announced around the same time. The General Assembly subsequently passed a "Declaration on Guyana" calling on all political parties to accept the results of the audit and to work in cooperation for the continued political, social and economic development of Guyana.

Secretary General of the OAS, Cesar Gaviria, in a letter written in Caracas to President Janet Jagan, also conveyed the organization's "sincere and cordial support for the solidarity with the government and people of Guyana in their continuing efforts to uphold and advance the democratic process, the rule of law and ensure good governance."

Two-Day Amazonian Conference Held in Guyana

Minister of Youth and Culture (and Acting Foreign Affairs Minister), Ms Gail Teixeira, in delivering the feature address at the Conference of the historic sixth ordinary meeting of the Special Commission on the Environment of the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty noted that it was a "tangible demonstration by the members-states of the treaty, of their determination to search and find common answers, lend mutual support for the conservation of the ecosystem and bio diversity and its thrust for development."

At this forum, the Minister told the participants that there is need for urgent consultations among the nations to deal with the effects of the current El Nino phenomenon.

Adviser to the President on Environment Navin Chandarpal said that the Amazon is definitely on the road to understanding how to balance economic growth and preservation of the environment and urged participants to heighten interest in the Iwokrama Rainforest Project. He reiterated Government's thrust towards sustainable management of its forest resources.

The session ended with presentations of reports and operation plans of the Commission. Prior to this a tree was planted as a mark of sustainable development.

Foreign Service Institute on its Way

With the actual receipt of US$250, 000 on May 6, a major step has been taken towards the inauguration of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).

Economic and Commercial Counselor of the People's Republic of China, Mr Liu Qing Feng handed over the check to Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Mrs Cheryl Miles.

An agreement paving the way for the establishment of the FSI was signed on March 9 last between the Governments of Guyana and the People's Republic of China.

Consultant to FSI project, Mr Lloyd Searwar said that the FSI is expected to be inaugurated by the end of July but before the Institute actually comes into being a number of things will have to be put in place. Among these will be the total rehabilitation of the Library and the conversion of the lower flat of Protocol House into a classroom situation.

Government and City Council to Restore "Garden City"

The Government and the City Council have implemented a new collaborative initiative to work towards recreating Georgetown as the "Garden City."

A joint Government/City Council seminar was held on May 3, at the City Hall where the objectives, plans and implementation measures for the success of community projects in 1998 were discussed.

The Mayor of Georgetown Mr Hamilton Green said that he hopes this collaboration will be the beginning of greater things.

Minister of Works and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier who attended the seminar said his Ministry has been trying to get the different communities to do more self-help projects in their areas, rather than contracting labor.

The City Council plans to focus on developing drainage, general cleaning of bushes, garbage removal of nuisances such as cattle, illegal fences and buildings on Council's reserves.

Guyana to Join Regional Security System

Guyana is expected to join the Regional Security System (RSS) very shortly.

Among the assistance Guyana can derive from this system is help in quelling anarchy, providing relief in cases of emergency and the development of its internal security capabilities.

Guyana, while not being a member of the RSS, has participated in several aspects of its programs across the region.

This development comes as more attention is being placed on the country's national security.

According to Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon, there will be dedicated efforts to foster greater civilian-military relations in Guyana.

In this direction, efforts have commenced to create a National Security Think Thank. The administration proposes to tap expertise and assistance from regional and international sources in this direction.

During the current Parliament, the government side will be taking the initiative to set up a Standing Committee of Parliament on the Armed Forces.

This concept was introduced during the life of the last Parliament and covered areas such as Foreign Relations and Border Relations.

Priority for National Welfare

President Janet Jagan and PNC leader, Mr Desmond Hoyte have assured Canadian Secretary of State, Mr David Kilgour who visited Guyana recently, that the national welfare of the nation will be place ahead of the interests of their parties.

Mr Kilgour, Canadian Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa, who paid an official four day visit to Guyana, met separately with President Jagan and Mr Hoyte and they both resolved to put Guyana's concerns first.

He said, "I am encouraged that everybody is going to put the best interest of the people ahead of any political interest of any party...I am hoping and praying...that that's going to happen."

While in Guyana Kilgour has toured local enterprises including the Star Seafoods Incorporated at Rosignol, and others in Region Six, (East Berbice/Corentyne).

After his discussions with the President and Hoyte, Kilgour was optimistic about the post-audit events, noting there is a genuine will by the two leaders to move on and "work for the future...not for the past".

He added that Guyanese at home as well as abroad are "very anxious" to put the events between December 19 and January 12 behind them.. "There is a great deal of concern regionally ....that your political stability problems" be solved, Kilgour said.

GAC Plans to Lease Another Jet

Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) plans to lease another jet for its international service as part of the airline's scheme to resolve some of its current problems.

"We expect and intend to survive and grow...", Chief Executive Officer, Dr Frederick Duncan said when he outlined the new corporate plan for the national carrier.

The plan include organization structure, vision, mission, goals and policies.

Under the corporate plan, circulated to governmental agencies for perusal, there will be a Guyana Airways International and a Guyana Airways Domestic run by two separate general managers.

"The financial goals are critical at this stage and we expect to pay overdue accounts shortly," Duncan reported recently

GAC, according to its immediate financial goals, hopes to write off about US$2.8M in overdue accounts before September this year. Duncan added that the airline was still trying its best to make sure that "no creditor gets too angry," but said the revenue input has not been so good, especially in relation to the disposal of assets, which would have helped GAC settle effectively with some of the people they owe.

Duncan said the airline will be making a leased jet a permanent fixture of its operations.

New $82M Maternity Unit for Georgetown Hospital

The state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar maternity unit of the Georgetown Hospital was commissioned recently. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony was Mr David Kilgour, visiting Canadian Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa. He described it as "another milestone in development cooperation between Canada and Guyana."

He observed that the $82M support by his country is a special investment which will "impact on future generations of Guyanese".

He traveled to Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and also officiated at a ceremony organized by regional officials to commission a fish plant at Rosignol. The enterprise is also supported by the Canadian Government.

More Developmental Contracts Approved

Contracts that will lead to the better functioning of the Demerara Harbor Bridge, the execution of vital sea defense work, the provision of vital components to the water sector, and the prevision of needed supplies to the military were recently approved.

A contract costing $226.8 million for the rehabilitation of the retraction span of the bridge received the green light from Cabinet.

One of the worrying areas of the bridge's operation has been the malfunctioning of its retraction span. The contract is expected to remedy this deficiency over the long term.

Other contracts were also approved for the water sector, which will see the supply of vital, parts for the construction of new wells across the country. This contract is worth US$182,000 and is jointly funded by the government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The military will be provided with supplies ranging from food, drugs and other supplies to the sum of $93 million. This program was also recently approved by the government.

In addition, the government will be providing funding to the sum of US$8.6 million for the purchase of sea defense building materials for the country's vulnerable sea defense structures.

Visit of British Secretary of State

British Secretary of State for International Development, Ms Clare Short, arrived in Guyana on Friday May 8. She visited the Iwokrama Field Research Station in the Rupununi. She also visited several schools in Linden, Region 10 to meet with regional officials there.

Ms Short also met with Prime Minister Sam Hinds and signed signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a $3 billion Education sector project. Education Minister, Dr Dale Bisnauth, said the project, which is aimed at expanding and improving Secondary Schools in Linden and Corriverton, will encompass all the schools not covered by the Secondary Schools Reform Project.

The British Secretary of State for International Development gave her stamp of approval to the current massive infrastructural program being undertaken by the government. She attended and commissioned the water works operations at L'Oratorie, West Bank Demerara. More than 100 water works have been commissioned since 1992 as the government moves to rebuild the water system.

News Briefs

The Guyana Electricity Corporation's (GEC) expansion is moving apace in East Berbice, Region 6. Approximately 8,000 residents of the community are connected to the power lines. And another 1,000 will be connected shortly. The area, which is growing in population, is being electrified for the first time. Hundreds of electric posts have already been planted in the Crabwood Creek area and the installation of GEC meters and wiring is moving at a rapid rate.

Another new school has been constructed in the country. The new $9.5 million Virginia Nursery School in Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara. The project was funded by SIMAP, a government agency.

Indian Immigration Day was observed in Guyana on Tuesday, May 5. A number of activities were observed by religious and cultural bodies throughout Guyana. Thousands converged at the Joe Vieira Park for the annual commemorative activity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Guyana has been elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for a period of three years, effective January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001. The elections were held on May 7 in the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The Guyana Government has designated four persons to serve as Members of the international Permanent Court of Arbitration. They are Dr Barton Scotland, Mr Bernard Dos Santos S.C., Dr Mohamed Shahabuddeen and Mr Bertie Ramcharran.

The newly-constructed Hururu Primary School in the Berbice River district was commissioned on the 32^ndAnniversary of Guyana's Independence. The concrete structure, consisting of two flats was built at a cost of $30 million through the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank.

The $150 million copra mill at Charity, Pomeroon River will go into operation by July. Owner of the mill, Mr A. Alphonso said the 40-ton copra mill is being shipped from India and engineers and technicians from India are to install it. When the mill commences operations it will employ about 70 to 80 persons.

Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo has secured another international assistance package for Guyana. Minister Jagdeo, who was in St George's, Grenada for the Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) signed a loan worth about US$5.1 million which will assist the government in rebuilding the country's drainage and irrigation network, especially in rural communities.

A total rehabilitation of the road along Regent Street from Vlissengen Road to Avenue of the Republic will soon be completed. This is a very popular shopping area in Georgetown.

Fifty-three students from nine administrative regions debated their future for some three hours at the convening of the first ever Youth Parliament in the National Assembly in Georgetown. Students debated the topic "A Youth Agenda for the 21^st Century".This exercise was the brainchild of Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Ms Gail Teixeira.

The Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) Boeing 757 jet which was taken out of operation after it hit a Laparkan Airways Cargo plane, has resumed routine flights. The jet was taken to the United Stated where it was repaired and underwent inspections by the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). It resumed flight operations on Monday last when it departed for New York with 134 passengers. While the Boeing 757 was out of operation, GAC leased two aircraft to provide relief to stranded passengers.

The Public Service Union has agreed to a 9.5 percent interim wage increase for public servants for 1998. This agreement was reached following discussions between the union and the Public Service Ministry. The government said that the union's request for a 30 percent increase cannot be met because of downturns in the economy.

The state-owned Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has commissioned a new BBC satellite dish and digital system to relay live programs to Guyana. The switch to access the BBC was activated on May 15 by Deputy British High Commissioner Colin Brazier in the presence of Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other invited guests.

Approximately 500 families of Light Town, East Bank Berbice are now being protected from the high tides on the Berbice River by a newly constructed earthen embankment. The Region 6 administration carried out the project.

The Guyanese community in the Washington DC metropolitan area concluded a series of activities to mark the 32^nd anniversary of Guyana's independence. The activities commenced with an inter-faith service on May 24. On May 26-29, an art exhibition featuring two Guyanese artists in the area was mounted at the headquarters of the OAS. Then on May 31, hundreds of Guyanese converged on the lawns of the Ambassador's residence for the fifth annual Guyana Food Fair.

SPECIAL FEATURE