PNCR’s politicking undermines Joint Services’
operations
Dear Editor,
I refer to the PNCR press statement of April 3, 2008.
This release drew attention to the PPP/C’s hatred and suspicion of the Disciplined Forces.
This is utter nonsense as the assets of the Disciplined Forces were shown to be dwindling long before 1992, and the morale and psyche of the Disciplined Forces were at an all time low in 1992. And so it was not surprising to learn that prior to 1992, the PNC’s budgetary allocations for the Disciplined Forces were extremely limited.
The PPP/C Government has always understood the meaningful role that the Disciplined Forces play in this society, and will continue to fully support their development.
Since 1992, the PPP/C Administration’s budgetary allocations for the Disciplined Forces will obliterate the PNCR’s naïve and unfounded allegation of the PPP/C’s hatred and suspicion for the Disciplined Forces. I now present to you budgetary allocations over a number of years.
GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE EXPENDITURE
YEAR
G.D.F
CURRENT (GM$000)
CAPITAL
1990
185.2
0.3
1991
322.4
0.7
1992
599.3
7
1993
709.4
11
1994
973
50.5
1995
1,457.80
79.9
1996
1,246.80
88.3
1997
1,325.90
69.2
1998
1,378.40
90.7
1999
1,538.00
112.4
2000
1,954.30
472
2001
2,291.147
42
2002
2,624.857
42
2003
2,737.68
43
Source: GINA
CURRENT BUDGET
The Guyana Police Force’s current budgetary allocations are as follows:
Department
2002
$
2003
$
2004
$
2005
$
2006
$
2007
$
2008
$
Guyana Police Force
2,564,633,000
2,884,640,000
2,973,824,000
3,153,233,000
3,615,331,000
3,894,431,000
4,474,373,000
Capital Budget
Department 2002
$
2003
$
2004
$
2005
$
2006
$
2007
$
2008
$
Guyana Police Force
488,971,000
355,000,000
377,833,000
598,404,000
360,880,000
723,597,000
430,00,000
Under this Administration, the Disciplined Forces have enhanced their state of preparedness because this Government has made adequate budgetary allocations since 1992. The Budget in 2008 allocated $13.7 B for the Security Sector, whereas in 1992, it was $942 M.
The PNCR has shown scant respect for the Disciplined Services. You would recall the PNCR Leader Mr. Robert Corbin’s letter to the President, expressing his puzzlement at this new Joint Services’ activity; there were 11 distortions in Corbin’s letter.
And the day before Corbin issued his letter, the government’s release noted that the government will engage various stakeholders on the question of compensation. And according to the Standard Operating Procedures of the Joint Services, reparations will be effected for collateral damage.
This entire charade of the PNCR with respect to this letter and the PNCR Leader’s visit to Buxton early this year to inspect alleged damages inflicted on properties through the Joint Services’ operations point to wounding the good name of the Joint Services.
Again, you would recall Corbin’s refusal to declare Buxton as a safe haven for criminals. This might have very well been another attempt to retard the Joint Services’ operations. And you may need to know, too, that Andaiye, David Hinds, and Eusi Kwayana referred to Buxton as a terror camp on October 20, 2004 on guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com.
As Guyanese, we need to support the work of the Joint Services, and Guyanese must be congratulated for the high level of cooperation meted out to the Joint Services.
Prem Misir
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
JAGDEO blasts helicopter critics
Jagdeo backs copter
April 7, 2008
-slams Gouveia
Pres. Bharrat Jagdeo (left) Capt. Gerry Gouveia (right)
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday flayed Captain Gerry Gouveia’s criticisms of the two Bell 206 helicopters which were purchased to battle rising crime, saying that the former army pilot’s comments were silly and unfortunate.
Gouveia had told this newspaper in an interview on Friday that the choppers were not suited to fighting crime, noting that taxpayers’ money would have been better spent repairing the army’s Bell 412 helicopter which has been out of operation for over two years now.
Just back from the special crime and security summit in Trinidad and Tobago, Jagdeo told the Government Infor-mation Agency (GINA) last evening that before making such comments, one should understand the reason for purchasing the helicopters - this he said was mainly for surveillance. “I think the comment that the helicopters are not for crime fighting because they have limited capacity to carry people is a silly one. You have to understand crime fighting in different ways; it is not just transporting troops. It is also about surveillance. It is about ensuring you have visibility, you can track people,” GINA quoted the head of state as saying. He said the helicopters will have sophisticated equipment that could light up an entire area or can track someone through heat technology if he/she is running through bushes or elsewhere.
Jagdeo asserted, according to GINA, that the helicopters were bought for crime fighting and this is what they will play a part in. “The objective was more surveillance-type equipment which could move limited numbers of people but it’s the surveillance that you need, so you can keep in touch with ground forces from the helicopters and track people. You see these all the time on TV. If you watch these reality shows, you would see that helicopters track people and then they relay that to the ground forces and they move.”
Managing Director of Roraima Airways, Gouveia told Stabroek News in an interview on Friday that there was no question as to whether the country needed helicopters but he said Guyana needs choppers that could transport 8-10 men from one location to another and also do emergency medical evacuations and other tasks. “But the helicopters we are buying cannot do all of these and I wonder whether it was a waste of taxpayers’ dollars,” Gouveia commented. He argued that the Bell 206 chopper which flew in on Wednesday was a 1980-manufactured machine with limited capacity to transport troops and unsuited to fighting crime. “This is a tourism helicopter”, Gouveia said of the chopper, sitting at Camp Ayanganna presently. “By no means it is suited to support our security forces, it could only carry two passengers, cannot carry logistic support and in terms of rapid response and speed this is a joke and a comedy,” Gouveia declared. Information about the chopper obtained by this newspaper showed that it has a total flight time of over 10,000 hours and has passed through at least three owners. Gouveia said that no aviation professional he spoke with here said that they were consulted by the government or the army on the purchasing of the machines. But Cabinet Secre-tary, Roger Luncheon had told this newspaper that the administration sought advice from two prominent aviators; one living in Guyana and another residing in the US.
On Saturday GINA reported that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has already conducted a thorough inspection and rapid test flights of the new helicopter. A second chopper is expected shortly from Texas, in the United States. The machines were promised by Jagdeo to fight crime following the recent upsurge in violence here. The chopper according to the GINA release is a single-engine five-seater aircraft which lifts to an altitude of 20,000 feet, and is reputed to be the most reliable light reconnaissance aircraft of its kind in the world and more economical to operate. Among its many other assets, GINA says, is its capacity to be airborne in less than five minutes and its ability to fly for hours, depending on wind direction and other circumstances.
The agency quoted Army Staff Officer, Special Duties, Lieutenant Colonel Claude Fraser, who was among officials conducting inspections on the aircraft on Friday at Camp Ayanganna, as saying that it is important to note that the helicopter will aid in inspection activities especially in the area of civil defence. “With this aircraft, we will be able to fly over the flooded areas and get information as quickly as possible to the relevant authorities who will be able to deal with these situations”, Fraser said, adding that even though its main purpose is to aid in the conduct of reconnaissance missions, its five-seat capacity will also allow it to transport a few persons in an emergency.
April 7, 2008
-slams Gouveia
Pres. Bharrat Jagdeo (left) Capt. Gerry Gouveia (right)
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday flayed Captain Gerry Gouveia’s criticisms of the two Bell 206 helicopters which were purchased to battle rising crime, saying that the former army pilot’s comments were silly and unfortunate.
Gouveia had told this newspaper in an interview on Friday that the choppers were not suited to fighting crime, noting that taxpayers’ money would have been better spent repairing the army’s Bell 412 helicopter which has been out of operation for over two years now.
Just back from the special crime and security summit in Trinidad and Tobago, Jagdeo told the Government Infor-mation Agency (GINA) last evening that before making such comments, one should understand the reason for purchasing the helicopters - this he said was mainly for surveillance. “I think the comment that the helicopters are not for crime fighting because they have limited capacity to carry people is a silly one. You have to understand crime fighting in different ways; it is not just transporting troops. It is also about surveillance. It is about ensuring you have visibility, you can track people,” GINA quoted the head of state as saying. He said the helicopters will have sophisticated equipment that could light up an entire area or can track someone through heat technology if he/she is running through bushes or elsewhere.
Jagdeo asserted, according to GINA, that the helicopters were bought for crime fighting and this is what they will play a part in. “The objective was more surveillance-type equipment which could move limited numbers of people but it’s the surveillance that you need, so you can keep in touch with ground forces from the helicopters and track people. You see these all the time on TV. If you watch these reality shows, you would see that helicopters track people and then they relay that to the ground forces and they move.”
Managing Director of Roraima Airways, Gouveia told Stabroek News in an interview on Friday that there was no question as to whether the country needed helicopters but he said Guyana needs choppers that could transport 8-10 men from one location to another and also do emergency medical evacuations and other tasks. “But the helicopters we are buying cannot do all of these and I wonder whether it was a waste of taxpayers’ dollars,” Gouveia commented. He argued that the Bell 206 chopper which flew in on Wednesday was a 1980-manufactured machine with limited capacity to transport troops and unsuited to fighting crime. “This is a tourism helicopter”, Gouveia said of the chopper, sitting at Camp Ayanganna presently. “By no means it is suited to support our security forces, it could only carry two passengers, cannot carry logistic support and in terms of rapid response and speed this is a joke and a comedy,” Gouveia declared. Information about the chopper obtained by this newspaper showed that it has a total flight time of over 10,000 hours and has passed through at least three owners. Gouveia said that no aviation professional he spoke with here said that they were consulted by the government or the army on the purchasing of the machines. But Cabinet Secre-tary, Roger Luncheon had told this newspaper that the administration sought advice from two prominent aviators; one living in Guyana and another residing in the US.
On Saturday GINA reported that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has already conducted a thorough inspection and rapid test flights of the new helicopter. A second chopper is expected shortly from Texas, in the United States. The machines were promised by Jagdeo to fight crime following the recent upsurge in violence here. The chopper according to the GINA release is a single-engine five-seater aircraft which lifts to an altitude of 20,000 feet, and is reputed to be the most reliable light reconnaissance aircraft of its kind in the world and more economical to operate. Among its many other assets, GINA says, is its capacity to be airborne in less than five minutes and its ability to fly for hours, depending on wind direction and other circumstances.
The agency quoted Army Staff Officer, Special Duties, Lieutenant Colonel Claude Fraser, who was among officials conducting inspections on the aircraft on Friday at Camp Ayanganna, as saying that it is important to note that the helicopter will aid in inspection activities especially in the area of civil defence. “With this aircraft, we will be able to fly over the flooded areas and get information as quickly as possible to the relevant authorities who will be able to deal with these situations”, Fraser said, adding that even though its main purpose is to aid in the conduct of reconnaissance missions, its five-seat capacity will also allow it to transport a few persons in an emergency.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
President JAGDEO: Govt will not negotiate with Criminals
Guyana President: Govt will not negotiate with criminals
Juhel Browne jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, April 6th 2008
Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday that while there were people who wanted to negotiate a "power sharing" deal with his administration on behalf of the criminal gang leader who was behind the two recent massacres in his country, he would never make any such deal.
"We're going to hunt this guy down and we're going to get him, this gang. My government does not negotiate with criminals," Jagdeo said yesterday.
He said there was a core of "white collar people" in Guyana who tried to justify the massacres saying the gang's leader was fighting for a cause.
"There can be no cause for what he was fighting for. He is a criminal and he will be treated as such and they are offering to mediate on behalf of the Government, that you require power sharing to stop this kind of killing. We reject all of that. We're not going to mediate with criminals," Jagdeo said.
He did so while speaking to reporters during the Caricom Heads of Government special meeting on crime and security at the Hilton Trinidad hotel. Twenty three people, including children and women, were left dead after gunmen opened fire in the towns of Lusignan and Bartica earlier this year.
Trinidad and Tobago provided a helicopter and special weapons to the Guyana security forces to assist them in their manhunt following the slayings.
Jagdeo said yesterday that a special law enforcement unit has been established "that will hunt this group down."
He also called for the United States, which he called an important partner of Caricom, to do more to help better secure the region.
In a separate media briefing yesterday, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding also called for US assistance with regard to intelligence gathering and maritime and air security.
"Ultimately, it is a matter that affects both the Caribbean and the United States," Golding said.
He also responded to an Amnesty International report that severely criticized Jamaica for its human rights record in law enforcement and acknowledged there was a problem in this regard.
"We accept that there are serious deficiencies in Jamaica in addressing human rights, particularly as it relates to the treatment of our citizens by our security forces. We have extra-judicial killings that are unacceptable," Golding said.
Juhel Browne jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, April 6th 2008
Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday that while there were people who wanted to negotiate a "power sharing" deal with his administration on behalf of the criminal gang leader who was behind the two recent massacres in his country, he would never make any such deal.
"We're going to hunt this guy down and we're going to get him, this gang. My government does not negotiate with criminals," Jagdeo said yesterday.
He said there was a core of "white collar people" in Guyana who tried to justify the massacres saying the gang's leader was fighting for a cause.
"There can be no cause for what he was fighting for. He is a criminal and he will be treated as such and they are offering to mediate on behalf of the Government, that you require power sharing to stop this kind of killing. We reject all of that. We're not going to mediate with criminals," Jagdeo said.
He did so while speaking to reporters during the Caricom Heads of Government special meeting on crime and security at the Hilton Trinidad hotel. Twenty three people, including children and women, were left dead after gunmen opened fire in the towns of Lusignan and Bartica earlier this year.
Trinidad and Tobago provided a helicopter and special weapons to the Guyana security forces to assist them in their manhunt following the slayings.
Jagdeo said yesterday that a special law enforcement unit has been established "that will hunt this group down."
He also called for the United States, which he called an important partner of Caricom, to do more to help better secure the region.
In a separate media briefing yesterday, Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding also called for US assistance with regard to intelligence gathering and maritime and air security.
"Ultimately, it is a matter that affects both the Caribbean and the United States," Golding said.
He also responded to an Amnesty International report that severely criticized Jamaica for its human rights record in law enforcement and acknowledged there was a problem in this regard.
"We accept that there are serious deficiencies in Jamaica in addressing human rights, particularly as it relates to the treatment of our citizens by our security forces. We have extra-judicial killings that are unacceptable," Golding said.
President JAGDEO on real crime solutions: WHERE IS MARGINALIZATION?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Caribbean needs real crime solutions-
President advocates better equipped security forces, strong legislative support
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo said Thursday that the Caribbean needs real crime solutions, including better equipped security forces and strong legislative support.
We need to . . . get our hands dirty in giving our law enforcement agencies the arsenals to fight the criminals, the Guyanese Head told the Miami Herald on the eve of a special heads of government summit of the Caribbean Community in Trinidad and Tobago.
The two-day Summit, which ended yesterday, was convened in the face of increased arms and drug-trafficking, a rash of kidnappings in Trinidad and Haiti, and an upsurge in homicides in Jamaica, the Bahamas as well as here in Guyana.
We need to toughen penalties; we need very, very practical things, the President said, adding that by this he meant, inter alia, carrying out a survey of the legislation landscape across the region to come up with real solutions that all the countries can use.
Noting that concerns over privacy issues and political backlash were the main reasons why several Caribbean governments have not introduced wire-tapping legislation, President Jagdeo said:
If we have region-wide support . . . it might be easier to get it through the political processes of some countries, that they don't see it as imposition or a privacy issue at the national level, but a regional tool to fight criminals.
Earlier this year, Guyana made international headlines after gunmen killed 23 people in two separate massacres that were weeks apart. Among those killed: five children in the Guyanese community of Lusignan and three policemen in the second incident.
We have to get this gang at all cost; whatever it takes, President Jagdeo said, adding that while life appears to be returning to normal, there are still people who remain fearful. 'There is still some element of fear because these acts were designed to create fear, he reportedly told the Miami Herald.
Last year, a joint World Bank and United Nations study found that the sun-splashed region had one of the world's highest murder rates, The Miami Herald noted. According to that study, the overall murder rate for 2002, the last year for which worldwide comparisons were available, was 30 per 100,000 persons, compared with 26 in Latin America and seven in the United States.
Recognising they have a problem threatening their laid-back, idyllic living, the Florida-based newspaper said, some Caribbean nations have sought to tackle the problem by recruiting retired Scotland Yard police officers and spending thousands of dollars on consultants from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Criminal threats to region's progressBy Rickey SinghSTRONG WARNINGS OF the dire threats criminals pose to the economies of the Caribbean Community came from two Prime Ministers as CARICOM leaders settled down yesterday (Sat) morning to assess the challenges they face in dealing with regional crime and security.
The warnings came from both host Prime Minister of the 'crime and security summit' at the Trinidad Hilton, Patrick Manning, and, earlier, CARICOM's current chairman and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Hubert Ingraham.
Manning, who holds lead responsibility for crime and security issues in CARICOM, told a brief public session of this 13th special meeting of Heads of Government that the region's vital tourism industry--a major source of foreign exchange earnings and employment--was particularly vulnerable to cross- border criminal networks.
Ingraham, whose country's economy is one of those in CARICOM heavily reliant on the tourism sector, called for forging of 'special alliances" for the region to effectively address issues such as criminal deportees and trafficking in drugs, arms and humans.
Reports from both the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have already pointed to the adverse effects violent criminality was having on regional economies and stressed the importance of focused and concerted actions by Caribbean administrations.
Originally announced as a two-day summit by the Community Secretariat, the CARICOM leaders were hoping to conclude their agenda business last (Sat) night with the release of a communique outlinging decisions taken for united action.
Their summit was preceded by an informal session at Prime Minister Manning's official residentc on Friday that followed the conclusion of meetings by CARICOM's Council of Ministers responsible for Security and Law Enforcement.
Prime Minister Manning said that the challenge they collectively face was to find a "happy medium" in efffectively utilising available resources to beat back the criminals and terrorists while advancing social and economic progress.
Army impressed with new helicopter- second helicopter expected soonTHE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has already conducted a thorough inspection and rapid test flights of the new Bell 206 B3 Jet Ranger helicopter, which arrived here last Tuesday.
This helicopter and another, which is expected shortly from Texas, in the United States, were promised by President Bharrat Jagdeo to assist in the crime fight.
The new chopperx, according to a release from the Government Information Service (GINA), is a single-engine five-seater aircraft which lifts to an altitude of 20,000 feet, and is reputed to be the most reliable light reconnaissance aircraft of its kind in the world and more economical to operate.
Among its many other assets, GINA says, is its capacity to be airborne in less than five minutes and its ability to fly for hours, depending on wind direction and other circumstances.
The Agency quotes Army Staff Officer, Special Duties, Lieutenant Colonel Claude Fraser, who was among officials conducting inspections on the aircraft Friday at Camp Ayanganna, as saying that it is important to note that the helicopter will aid in inspection activities especially in the area of civil defence.
With this aircraft, we will be able to fly over the flooded areas and get information as quickly as possible to the relevant authorities who will be able to deal with these situations, Fraser said, adding that even though itxs main purpose is to aid in the conduct of reconnaissance missions, its five-seat capacity will also allow it to transport a few persons in emergency cases.
Itxs a good asset, and it will really help to enhance our role in this crime fight. We will be able to get intelligence to operators as quickly as possible and move into those difficult areas, the Army official said.
Others are quoted as saying that a qualified flight crew and an experienced engineer will oversee the operation of the new helicopter which is also suitable for night flight provided there is visual reference to the ground.
According to Commanding Officer, Carghill Kyte, training programmes for engineers will soon be undertaken so that they are suitably qualified to operate the aircraft. Maintenance will be at the highest level.
Kyte described the aircraft as a piece of equipment which fits directly into the crime fighting role since one of its capabilities is quick reaction to confined areas, an endeavour which was difficult with the previous helicopter.
After inspecting it and going through the flight phase we are quite pleased with the purchase and we will see what happens in the duration of the operation, the Commanding Officer said.
The new helicopter is similar to the twin engine five-seater BO105 helicopter which was temporarily donated recently to Guyana by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to support the crime fight.
Very soon, the Bell 412 twin engine 15-seater all-weather helicopter which has been with the GDF for several years will be up and running after its renovation is complete.
PERSPECTIVES
WHERE IS MARGINALIZATION?
PART 2BY PREM MISIRLast week, we addressed ethnic distribution within the public service; we showed that Africans are not marginalized within the upper levels of the hierarchy and that there is an evolving ethnic mix in the hierarchy of control throughout the public service.
Within the school system, Indians comprised about a third and Africans over half of the school heads; with a declining ethnic imbalance among REDOs; but an imbalance of African over Indian staff at UG.
Today, we present the ethnic distribution on State Boards and budgetary allocations in Region 4.
Identifying risk factors for marginalization is a useful preventive strategy. Significant risk factors for marginalization include poverty, unemployment, sickness, physical disability, among others.
Risk factors, however, are not forms of marginalization and their presence should not be equated with marginalization. In other words, being poor and unemployed does not necessarily mean that you are marginalized. Unfortunately, many political commentators equate poverty and unemployment with marginalization.
Both Indians and Africans have a fairly equitable distribution on the State Boards in Education in 2002 and 2006. African numbers are relatively greater at the National Library, Government Technical Institute, and Queen’s College. Indians enjoy some prominence on the University of Guyana Council, Cyril Potter College of Education; and with fair representation at President’s College.
Table 1.7(a) shows that in a review of 15 State Boards in 2006, an evolving equitable distribution of ethnicity prevails. Indians outnumbered Africans on only two Boards, the National Commission on Women and GNCB; Africans outnumbered Indians on seven Boards; and with ‘Others’ outnumbering both Indians and Africans on one Board, Iwokrama. Interestingly, both major ethnic groups have equal Directorships on six Boards.
The findings in a ‘marginalization’ study of 27 different State Boards in 2002, however, showed Africans were in the majority on 13 and Indians on 12, with two State Boards having equal numbers drawn from these two major ethnic groups.
The ethnic distribution of Directorships in that 2002 study today remains basically unchanged; and the 2002 and 2006 studies, clearly, showed that Africans edged out the ethnic competition for Directorships on these Boards. A welcome development, however, is the evolving presence of minority Directors not from the two major ethnic groups.
Region Four is highlighted because it is (a) the most populated of all 10 Regions; (b) it has a significant African population; (c) it also houses Georgetown, the Capital City of Guyana and the seat of Central Government; (d) Georgetown has a large number of African dwellers; and (e) the PNCR politically controls this Region.
“Identifying risk factors for marginalization is a useful preventive strategy. Significant risk factors for marginalization include poverty, unemployment, sickness, physical disability, among others. Risk factors, however, are not forms of marginalization and their presence should not be equated with marginalization. In other words, being poor and unemployed does not necessarily mean that you are marginalized. Unfortunately, many political commentators equate poverty and unemployment with marginalization.”Region 4 budgetary allocation was $128.6M for 2006, quite comparable in Regions with a large Indian population. TheRegional Administration then assigned $79.9M in the areas of high African-concentration as indicated in Table 1.8. Projects in other parts of the Region received the residual sum of about $48.1M.
In this paper, these sample Tables are part of a larger study. But what do these Tables indicate? Clearly, that social marginalization among Africans is not evidenced in the public sector.
Friday, April 4, 2008
IMF Executive Board commends Guyana’s economic performance
IMF Executive Board commends GUYANA’s economic performance
Georgetown, GINA, April 3, 2008
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given the Guyana government thumbs-up in its continued efforts to sustain and improve the country’s economy.In its February 20, 2008 report on the conclusion of the Article IV consultation with Guyana, the Directors commended the Guyana authorities for a second consecutive year of strong real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.They welcomed the government’s commitment to sound macroeconomic and structural policies, as evident by the perseverance with adjustment and reform and the cautious use of external financing. The Directors noted that this commitment is crucial to the diversification of the economy, reducing vulnerability to commodity price and other external shocks, and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was posited by the Directors that the real effective exchange rate is largely in balance and that the authorities' macroeconomic policies are consistent with external stability. The directors believe that while the current exchange rate regime has served Guyana well, a gradual move to a more flexible exchange rate, and in the context of a fully operational inter-bank foreign exchange market, could help cushion the economy from external shocks.In welcoming the progress achieved in strengthening the public finances the directors also commended government for the successful implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the authority’s determination to preserve spending discipline. The IMF officials also encouraged the authorities to continue their efforts to reach agreement with creditors that have yet to provide debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPIC).The administration received support from the directors in relation to reducing the fiscal deficit in the medium-term which will be consistent with long-term debt sustainability. They noted that this will require further improvements in tax administration, control of non-priority spending, and a strengthening of the financial condition of public enterprises.Government’s forthcoming Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper which will guide its medium-term expenditure plans also received a plus.In 2007, economic performance was strong for a second consecutive year. Real GDP growth was estimated at about 5.5 percent and is projected to remain robust at 4.8 percent this year.The current revenue is expected to grow by 1.7 percent to $81.6B and the economy is expected to grow by 4.8 percent which is expected to be broad-based and to reflect expansion in both traditional and new and emerging sectors.The government has also projected that sugar production will increase by 8.8 percent over the 2007 output, rice production is expected to increase by 7.6 percent and the inflation rate is expected to be 6.8 percent
Georgetown, GINA, April 3, 2008
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given the Guyana government thumbs-up in its continued efforts to sustain and improve the country’s economy.In its February 20, 2008 report on the conclusion of the Article IV consultation with Guyana, the Directors commended the Guyana authorities for a second consecutive year of strong real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.They welcomed the government’s commitment to sound macroeconomic and structural policies, as evident by the perseverance with adjustment and reform and the cautious use of external financing. The Directors noted that this commitment is crucial to the diversification of the economy, reducing vulnerability to commodity price and other external shocks, and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was posited by the Directors that the real effective exchange rate is largely in balance and that the authorities' macroeconomic policies are consistent with external stability. The directors believe that while the current exchange rate regime has served Guyana well, a gradual move to a more flexible exchange rate, and in the context of a fully operational inter-bank foreign exchange market, could help cushion the economy from external shocks.In welcoming the progress achieved in strengthening the public finances the directors also commended government for the successful implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the authority’s determination to preserve spending discipline. The IMF officials also encouraged the authorities to continue their efforts to reach agreement with creditors that have yet to provide debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPIC).The administration received support from the directors in relation to reducing the fiscal deficit in the medium-term which will be consistent with long-term debt sustainability. They noted that this will require further improvements in tax administration, control of non-priority spending, and a strengthening of the financial condition of public enterprises.Government’s forthcoming Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper which will guide its medium-term expenditure plans also received a plus.In 2007, economic performance was strong for a second consecutive year. Real GDP growth was estimated at about 5.5 percent and is projected to remain robust at 4.8 percent this year.The current revenue is expected to grow by 1.7 percent to $81.6B and the economy is expected to grow by 4.8 percent which is expected to be broad-based and to reflect expansion in both traditional and new and emerging sectors.The government has also projected that sugar production will increase by 8.8 percent over the 2007 output, rice production is expected to increase by 7.6 percent and the inflation rate is expected to be 6.8 percent
PNC's STABROEK NEWS censoring Government speeches
Hypocritical Stabroek news complaining about lack of
Government ad and freedom to publish yet they
censor news and speeches from Government Ministers
Not surprising for an anti-Government pro-PNC rag
Stabroek News has not always covered my statements and speeches
April 3, 2008
Dear Editor,
Stabroek News in response to a letter from Kwame McKoy and published in its March 30, 2008 edition claimed that I have “limited my accessibility to Stabroek News reporters.”For the benefit of readers let me clarify. Stabroek News reporter Mr Nigel Williams had secured many an exclusive and lengthy interview with me at my office on a range of issues relevant to my portfolio.We enjoyed an excellent minister/journalist relationship.
However, suddenly a noticeable change in Stabroek News reporting was observed, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police and the Guyana Prison Service became victims of persistent and shameless attacks, criticisms and condemnations in editorials and other stories published in the Stabroek News. These attacks, etc continue to this day. In many instances the attacks were personal. When asked for an explanation Williams told me he had no control over the editorial policy of his newspaper.
Interestingly, I don’t see Williams around any longer. He no longer calls me. Apparently, Miranda La Rose along with Heppilena Ferguson and for a short while, Jenelle Carter replaced him.
There are numerous press releases, letters to the editor, and public pronouncements made and released from my office and from other public places that were ignored by the Stabroek News for one reason or another. I have never made an issue of it. However, now that the opportunity has presented itself three recent examples will suffice.
I refer to a letter I wrote on January 21, 2008 concerning the weapons that cannot be accounted for by the PNC, a statement issued on March 14, 2008 addressing the PNC’s claim that the police are acting outside of the law, and a speech I made at the launch of the Citizen’s Security Programme at the Grand Coastal Inn on February 20, 2008.
As regards the latter, Stabroek News Miranda La Rose was present throughout that event including the handing over of a specialized vehicle for accident/reporting to the Guyana Police Force.
The following day Stabroek Newss carried what everybody said at the opening ceremony except the minister. According to the story all the minister did was to “officiate” at the event. He never spoke.
The following day, while I was being interviewed at the Public Buildings by a reporter from another media house, the same Miranda La Rose came up and sought to ask a question, it was at that point I told her that I will not be speaking to the Stabroek News.
Readers should ask why should the Minister answer a question from a newspaper which either misrepresents or ignores what he says in public or picks and chooses which letters and press releases should be published and suppresses letters written by persons supportive of his views.
I do not expect plaudits or bouquets from Stabroek News or elsewhere. What is expected is fair, objective and balanced reporting.
I close by stating that I do not work for or with any newspapers or media house including the Stabroek News. If however, any of them were to publish a story or a letter that unfairly attacks me I shall exercise my right to reply and I expect that reply will be published not as a favour or privilege but as a right to which I am entitled like anyone else.
Yours faithfully,Clement J RoheeMinister of Home Affairs
Government ad and freedom to publish yet they
censor news and speeches from Government Ministers
Not surprising for an anti-Government pro-PNC rag
Stabroek News has not always covered my statements and speeches
April 3, 2008
Dear Editor,
Stabroek News in response to a letter from Kwame McKoy and published in its March 30, 2008 edition claimed that I have “limited my accessibility to Stabroek News reporters.”For the benefit of readers let me clarify. Stabroek News reporter Mr Nigel Williams had secured many an exclusive and lengthy interview with me at my office on a range of issues relevant to my portfolio.We enjoyed an excellent minister/journalist relationship.
However, suddenly a noticeable change in Stabroek News reporting was observed, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police and the Guyana Prison Service became victims of persistent and shameless attacks, criticisms and condemnations in editorials and other stories published in the Stabroek News. These attacks, etc continue to this day. In many instances the attacks were personal. When asked for an explanation Williams told me he had no control over the editorial policy of his newspaper.
Interestingly, I don’t see Williams around any longer. He no longer calls me. Apparently, Miranda La Rose along with Heppilena Ferguson and for a short while, Jenelle Carter replaced him.
There are numerous press releases, letters to the editor, and public pronouncements made and released from my office and from other public places that were ignored by the Stabroek News for one reason or another. I have never made an issue of it. However, now that the opportunity has presented itself three recent examples will suffice.
I refer to a letter I wrote on January 21, 2008 concerning the weapons that cannot be accounted for by the PNC, a statement issued on March 14, 2008 addressing the PNC’s claim that the police are acting outside of the law, and a speech I made at the launch of the Citizen’s Security Programme at the Grand Coastal Inn on February 20, 2008.
As regards the latter, Stabroek News Miranda La Rose was present throughout that event including the handing over of a specialized vehicle for accident/reporting to the Guyana Police Force.
The following day Stabroek Newss carried what everybody said at the opening ceremony except the minister. According to the story all the minister did was to “officiate” at the event. He never spoke.
The following day, while I was being interviewed at the Public Buildings by a reporter from another media house, the same Miranda La Rose came up and sought to ask a question, it was at that point I told her that I will not be speaking to the Stabroek News.
Readers should ask why should the Minister answer a question from a newspaper which either misrepresents or ignores what he says in public or picks and chooses which letters and press releases should be published and suppresses letters written by persons supportive of his views.
I do not expect plaudits or bouquets from Stabroek News or elsewhere. What is expected is fair, objective and balanced reporting.
I close by stating that I do not work for or with any newspapers or media house including the Stabroek News. If however, any of them were to publish a story or a letter that unfairly attacks me I shall exercise my right to reply and I expect that reply will be published not as a favour or privilege but as a right to which I am entitled like anyone else.
Yours faithfully,Clement J RoheeMinister of Home Affairs
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Stabroek News is aligned with the political opposition
Stabroek News is aligned with the political opposition
April 2, 2008
Dear Editor,
Stabroek News’ Editor’s note to my letter captioned “Your report on the resurrection of a phantom squad shows bias” (08.03.30) cleverly evaded the real argument and resorted to semantics.
Throughout my letter, without any haziness my argument dwelled on Stabroek News sharing the agenda of the political opposition in Guyana.
The use of the March 25, Page 1 article, headlined: Has the phantom gang come out of retirement?’’ was merely an example in support of my argument. Instead the Editor chose to dive into semantics by blaming carelessness on my part for using ‘’resurrection’’ of the phantom gang in place of its original headline. The headline itself implies a resurrection of the gang though there is no evidence to support it even existed in the first place. However, for any group to come out of retirement means there was a resurrection of its previous interests, relevance and or activity. We basically agreed, let’s not quibble over semantics.
But why this attempt to cloud the real issue which surrounds Stabroek News’ strong partnership with the political opposition, using the free press to generate and promote hostility against the PPP/C Administration and propagating particular lines of the political opposition? Stabroek News plays a lead role in either advancing or repeating these particular lines.
It is an opportune moment, for the sake of clarity, to note that the PPP/C Administration has replaced an era of a suppressed and docile media with a predominantly critical free press.
During the PNC era Guyanese were accused of criticizing the Government even in the confines of their living room and faced serious consequences. Today, all over Guyana there is freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The media in Guyana criticize the Government, write about anything, and put forward all sorts of unfounded allegations.I thought this would be necessary to mention so as to remove lingering doubts about the Government’s tenacity to criticisms. The fact that media practitioners and media houses ply their trade unhindered, demonstrates the PPP/C commitment to the principles of democracy.
In Stabroek News’ case my argument is specifically about its biases, and calculated propagation of the views and opinions of the political opposition. Even that is okay too but Stabroek News must first categorically admit for the ‘public good’ that it prefers a particular course. This follows that there are ethical and moral standards and values that must be upheld by a free and responsible press.
Yours faithfully,Kwame Mc Coy
April 2, 2008
Dear Editor,
Stabroek News’ Editor’s note to my letter captioned “Your report on the resurrection of a phantom squad shows bias” (08.03.30) cleverly evaded the real argument and resorted to semantics.
Throughout my letter, without any haziness my argument dwelled on Stabroek News sharing the agenda of the political opposition in Guyana.
The use of the March 25, Page 1 article, headlined: Has the phantom gang come out of retirement?’’ was merely an example in support of my argument. Instead the Editor chose to dive into semantics by blaming carelessness on my part for using ‘’resurrection’’ of the phantom gang in place of its original headline. The headline itself implies a resurrection of the gang though there is no evidence to support it even existed in the first place. However, for any group to come out of retirement means there was a resurrection of its previous interests, relevance and or activity. We basically agreed, let’s not quibble over semantics.
But why this attempt to cloud the real issue which surrounds Stabroek News’ strong partnership with the political opposition, using the free press to generate and promote hostility against the PPP/C Administration and propagating particular lines of the political opposition? Stabroek News plays a lead role in either advancing or repeating these particular lines.
It is an opportune moment, for the sake of clarity, to note that the PPP/C Administration has replaced an era of a suppressed and docile media with a predominantly critical free press.
During the PNC era Guyanese were accused of criticizing the Government even in the confines of their living room and faced serious consequences. Today, all over Guyana there is freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The media in Guyana criticize the Government, write about anything, and put forward all sorts of unfounded allegations.I thought this would be necessary to mention so as to remove lingering doubts about the Government’s tenacity to criticisms. The fact that media practitioners and media houses ply their trade unhindered, demonstrates the PPP/C commitment to the principles of democracy.
In Stabroek News’ case my argument is specifically about its biases, and calculated propagation of the views and opinions of the political opposition. Even that is okay too but Stabroek News must first categorically admit for the ‘public good’ that it prefers a particular course. This follows that there are ethical and moral standards and values that must be upheld by a free and responsible press.
Yours faithfully,Kwame Mc Coy
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