The Disciplined Forces Com-mission (DFC) will begin to advertise shortly for staff to assist in the conduct of its inquiry into the Disciplined Services. Mean-while, Stabroek News understands that Trevor King, who is attached to the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, has been identified to be secretary to the Commission.

Chairman of the Commission, Justice of Appeal, Ian Chang SC told Stabroek News yesterday that the advertisements for the staff were being prepared and should be approved shortly. He added that the Commission would also begin placing advertisements inviting persons to come and give evidence.

The establishment of the commission is one of the agreements listed in the May 6 communiqué signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin.

The commission has been given a six-month timeframe within which to complete its inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service. However, it is required to give priority to the inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force and to submit an interim report to the National Assembly within three months.

Among the staff the Commission would be seeking to acquire, is a legal advisor to the Commission as well as secretarial and other support staff. But Justice Chang expects that some of the secretarial staff would be sourced from the public service.

Justice Chang added that in the absence of the fifth commissioner, Maggie Bierne, a member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland, he and his other colleagues, Charles Ramson SC, Anil Nandlall and Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, have begun working on the rules of procedure to be followed in the conduct of the inquiry. He said Bierne was being kept informed about the activities being undertaken.

Meanwhile, Stabroek News understands that the public hearings to be conducted in Georgetown will be held in the upper flat of the High Court Library. However, Justice Change indicated that the commission intended to hear evidence in other parts of the country depending on the funding that was made available.

There is still no word about the date of Bierne’s arrival in Guyana as Stabroek News was unable to contact Corbin for a comment yesterday. However, last week Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon told Stabroek News that his organisation would consider, together with the other members of the donor community, funding for Bierne’s stay once both the government and parliamentary opposition were in favour of this. (Patrick Denny)