PRESS BRIEFING
Thursday, April 17, 2003

LINDEN UTILITY SITUATION

President Bharrat Jagdeo briefed Cabinet on the development in the Linden community and in Region 10 surrounding the power outages and the resultant parties.

Since his return from Linden, the situation has stabilised somewhat with power supply to the community.
The protest actions that interrupted road transport through Linden and thereby affected many businesses remains a matter of deep concern. Interventions have been made with reasonably good results and others are being planned.
At the bottom line, Cabinet recognised the imperative of restoring power supply to Linden ensuring potable water supply and addressed the security situation.

CRIME SITUATION

The latest attempts at Kidnapping have left much room for consideration to all and sundry. The diplomat, the murdered school child and the foiled kidnapping effort all within the space of 24 – 48 hrs is significant.
FBI Agents and US Diplomatic Security officials are here to probe the first incident of a diplomat being kidnapped. Government welcomes the support and most likely to be provided to local Law Enforcement officers by their presence. Regional support has also been solicited and offered.
The Law Enforcement functionaries continue to plead for corporation from the families of the kidnapped victims in their fight against kidnapping and extortions.
Cabinet was advised that Buxton remains the source and the refuge of the kidnappers and the likely place where victims are secreted.

JAGDEO/CORBIN MEETING

There continues to be progressive movement as resolutions of the outstanding issues that influence the timing of the Jagdeo/Corbin meeting. The impact of the expanded team is being realised. Notwithstanding the brief encounter of President Jagdeo and Mr. Corbin in Linden during the recent power utility problems, the commitment to meet in Georgetown to resume the dialogue remains.

PARLIAMENTARY IMPASSE

The Parliamentary handling of Constitutional Reform matters continues apace. President Jagdeo resolves to appoint the Service Commission, with or without the PNC/R support and involvement, has gathered steam.
Parliamentary motions to give effect to the constitutional provisions are in the works. Other areas of attention are being addressed by the Parliamentary parties. The members identified by Parliament for membership of the Ethnic Relations Commission will soon be sworn in by President Jagdeo.

DROUGHT ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

Water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy are at a historic low. Extended dry weather conditions are occurring in other Regions. While the impact so far has been minimal projection about the unset or rainfall and its magnitude and duration are not the most reassuring.
With that in mind, Cabinet has created a four member Drought Assessment Committee to do the necessary base line study and make report on the impact on crops, livestock and people in each of the ten Administrative Regions in Guyana.
The base line study has shown:
• Low rainfall
• Low levels of water in Rivers/Creeks
• Intrusion of salt water
• Low shallow well
• There have been no clear cut loss of crops nor
livestock
• Planting for the next season is slow and stall