Leaders discuss issues of national importance

Leaders discuss issues of national importance

Guyana Chronicle
May 4, 2003

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(Meeting between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Robert Corbin, Leader of the PNC/R Friday, May 2nd 2003
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT)

His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana and Mr. Robert Corbin, MP, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform met at the Office of the President on Friday 2003 May 2 at 9 am to discuss and resolve a number of issues of national importance. The discussions were held in an atmosphere of seriousness, born of their recognition of the need for their determined commitment to find solutions, which are in the interest of all of the people of Guyana. They accepted the challenge for the immediate resolution of these issues, which go to the heart of Guyana’s socio-economic and political development, and affirmed their commitment to maintain the timetable for the expeditious implementation of all agreed solutions. They concluded that an on-going approach, based on their ‘Constructive Engagement’, would be beneficial for the long-term social, economic and political development of Guyana.

President Jagdeo and Mr. Corbin endorsed the work of their representatives and agreed to the following:

1. The appointment of the seven (7) new Standing Committees of the National Assembly namely;

a. The Parliamentary Management Committee

b. The four (4) Sector committees responsible for Natural Resources, Economic Services, Foreign Relations and Social Services

c. The Appointive Committee

d. The Constitutional Reform Committee.

2. The strengthening of the capacity of the Parliament Office to service all of the committees and the National Assembly as a whole.

3 The appointment of the Ethnic Relations Commission and arrangement for its functioning.

4 The Terms of Reference of the Disciplined Forces Commission which include the inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

5 The amendment of Article 197 A (5) of the Constitution to provide the Disciplined Forces Commission with the authority and the powers to conduct inquiries.

6 The adjournment and the continuation on Monday 5th May 2003 of their meeting to conclude the discussion of the remaining matters on their agreed Agenda, after which a full Communiqué will be issued.