"That is what this country needs and until such time that the PNC/R withdraw from this extremely inexplicable and unacceptable position of not engaging the PPP administration, the difficulties in Guyana will not be addressed to the fullest and the most comprehensive extent," Luncheon told his weekly post-cabinet news conference.

He could not understand why the PNC/R would not appreciate the need for the parties to "buckle up and talk".

The PNC/R has said its decision to withdraw has to do with the non-implementation of decisions taken.

Luncheon recalled that the government had offered to pay for the identification and resolution of problems to which he said the PNC/R failed to respond.

Luncheon noted that once this excuse of non-implementation is put to work the PNC/R would find other excuses to justify its reluctance and avoidance of initiating formal and comprehensive dialogue with the PPP/C.

He said the 1997 elections was characterised by this behaviour of the PNC/R.

Asked about recent allegations made by the PNC/R against the government, Luncheon said he has no reason to believe these, which he noted are similar to the many others.

He said he was aware of those made against senior government functionaries, but noted that one of the hallmarks of the PNC/R is to twist the facts and attribute its many shortcomings and individual and collective wrongdoings to those with whom it has disagreements, with the PPP/C receiving the brunt of the attacks.