Stabroek News
May 25, 2001

President Bharrat Jagdeo has restated his government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the nation and vowed to see it remain cohesive.

Speaking yesterday at the annual passing out parade for ensigns of the Guyana Defence Force's (GDF) Standard Officers Course #33 (SOC 33) and the Reserve Officers Course # 12 (ROC 12), the commander-in-chief assured the officers that the enhancement of the defence sector was a top priority of the government.

He said that an array of measures to comprehensively develop and defend the country position in the face of external threats had been put together by government to enhance the capacity of the military.

"This enhancement must, of necessity, be a continuous process," he said, adding that specific attention was being placed on the maritime and aviation sectors.

"In time to come Guyana will derive increased benefits of these approaches to safeguard its future," the President stated, adding that the new officers had an exciting role to play in the army's development.

President Jagdeo also praised the efforts of the members of the joint services in dispelling the spectre of racial conflict and ethnic division that had been threatening the stability of the country following the recent elections. He reaffirmed his administration's continued support and appreciation of their role in combating "the ugly manifestations of the actions of extremists in out midst."



The passing-out parade, which included nine out of the 15 ensigns who completed SOC 33 and five of the 19 participants of the ROC 12 taking part, also had members of the First Infantry Battalion forming the honour guard.

GDF ensign Wesley Gordon was adjudged best graduating student and was the recipient of the sword of honour. He was also the recipient of the Brazilian and Venezuelan armed forces' prizes along with the prize for best drill.

Ten GDF officers, one from the Guyana Prison Service and four from the defence forces of Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts participated in the course which commenced in February last year.

Two members have since been chosen for courses in the United Kingdom at the prestigious military school of Sandhurst and Naval School in Dartmouth.

Some sixteen persons who initially began the SOC course did not complete what was described as traditionally a difficult course, which 50 per cent did not normally finish.

The ROC course, which commenced in October 1999 with 20 participants, saw only one person not completing it.

The parade which commenced at 4:00 pm yesterday at Camp Ayanganna, was commanded by Captain Sydney James who was instrumental in training the officers at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS), located at Camp Stevenson, Timehri.

A power failure marred the afternoon ceremony as the commander-in-chief was addressing the event. (Oscar P. Clarke)