Building on a good beginning
Editorial
THE consensus among participants at the three-day seminar last week on a national security strategy and policy was that it was time they spent well. It was, they said, worth the sacrifice they made to be away from their regular jobs or business and at the end, they agreed on an outline of the way forward. At the sessions were top officers from the army, police and other sections of the Disciplined Services, members of the government and representatives from opposition political parties, the university, church, private sector and other interest groups, media and other organisations. It was a unique gathering and a unique start and although some of the issues identified to be dealt with had been raised before, the fact that they still feature high on the agenda of national concerns means that the search for solutions has to be stepped up. Chairman of the Organising Committee, Home Affairs Minister, Mr Ronald Gajraj, has promised that putting a strategy in place would be done with minimum delay. He also promised a report on the seminar as the base for the way forward within a month. President Bharrat Jagdeo assured participants their effort would not be wasted to which they responded with applause, another indication, we submit, of the interest at the forum in keeping the momentum up. Central to the issue is the political divisiveness in this country, which President Jagdeo identified as the biggest challenge. "We use politics in this country to divide us", he bemoaned, welcoming the opportunity of people coming together to talk things out as they did at the seminar. We agree with his point that the country needs more opportunities for people to talk things over and get them off their chests and applaud the organisers for the undoubted success recorded in bringing off the seminar. The issues raised at the seminar are "very relevant" but the underlying factors have to be addressed, Mr Jagdeo argued. Mr Gajraj, a prime mover in getting the forum off the ground, noted concerns about where to go from here and it is up to his committee to ensure the momentum does not lag. The Washington-based Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies helped the local organisers in bringing off the seminar and the head of the organisation, Dr Margaret Hayes, said it was clear that the issues that came up had been percolating below the surface. These have been brought to the front page, she said and looked forward to the President following through on the mandate that has emerged. Differences in perceptions also emerged but there is enough common ground for the process to be taken forward. The difficult part is overcoming the very real political divisiveness hurdles that the President noted at the closing of the event and those fond of indulging in this national pastime have to be made to realise how dangerous is the game they so often seem to want to play. We feel the message of the seminar was that enough people care to want to move on and preserve the things they hold dear for the nation. And in this there is more than enough room for hope. We thank all those who made it possible - they truly deserve it. 
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