Missing AK-47s… Defence Board studying report
Kaieteur News
January 26, 2007
The Defence Board will be reviewing a report presented by the GDF board of enquiry into the disappearance of 30 AK-47s and five pistols from the army headquarters bond at Camp Ayanganna .
President Bharrat Jagdeo announced yesterday that, after almost a year since the weapons were discovered missing, a report is now in the hands of the Defence Board.
“Over the next few weeks, we are going to assess that report.”
The announcement breaks the silence on the anxiously awaited document, which could shed light on who may be responsible for the disappearance of the weapons, and in whose possession the remaining weapons are.
So far, the army has recovered 13 of the missing weapons, mostly from elements that are linked to the criminal underworld. In recent weeks, there were reports that at least one top GDF official is linked to the missing weapons, and there was also talk of court martialling two officers.
The President said that he has also expressed concern about the level of staffing allocated to the army's investigative unit. “It seems to be dwindling in seniority, starting off from a full colonel to now a major heading the investigations in the military criminal investigations department. Given the importance of this matter, I think it should receive the highest attention and at least be staffed by very senior people,” the President stated.
And the President said that he is very pleased with the work done by the Joint Services generally.
New GDF officers receive Instruments of Commission
Nineteen Second Lieutenants of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were conferred with their Instruments of State Commission, and four officers were presented with State warrants by GDF Commander-in-Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday.
Witnessing the ceremony in the Credentials Room of the Office of the President were Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Edward Collins and Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and other senior GDF ranks.
Second Lieutenant Budeshwar Persaud, who received the Sword of Honour, promised the Commander-in-Chief that he and his fellow officers would work diligently in the discharge of their duties, and to uphold the confidence of the GDF; and in the course of their duties, to always act professionally.