Stabroek News
April 10, 2001

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday called for stability so that Guyana could move forward and said he and PNC REFORM leader, Desmond Hoyte needed to realise that Guyanese were more important than personalities.

Stressing the need for a culture of dialogue in Guyana, Jagdeo said the political leaders were not mature enough to realise that all the people depended on them and personalities tended to be more important.

"No one, not Mr Hoyte nor myself, is more important than the people of this country and I hope my call for dialogue will be answered quickly so that we can get down to moving this country forward," Jagdeo said yesterday.

Jagdeo reiterated that he was interested in dialogue with Hoyte where both sides participated as equals. He said this would not be achieved with intimidation and threats.

"I will not succumb to threats. Threats and force will not solve anything," Jagdeo argued yesterday. He said all the parties could work together to make Guyana a better place and this was what he hoped to achieve.

Jagdeo, who had publicly stated his intention of meeting Hoyte to discuss the future of Guyana, has formally invited Hoyte to a meeting. Hoyte indicated his intention to accept the invitation at a rally, but no formal acceptance has been forwarded to Jagdeo.

Asked yesterday how long he was prepared to wait for a response before he made another move at having dialogue, Jagdeo said the ball was in Hoyte's court and he, Jagdeo, was prepared to wait.

Jagdeo's comments were made just before he announced the members of his new cabinet.