PRESS BRIEFING
Thursday, February 12, 2004

AGENDA

TOUSHAOS MEETING

OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION 2004

TOUSHAOS MEETING
The meeting of the Toushaos Amerindian Committees in Guyana is continuing in Georgetown.
Over 100 Chiefs are in attendance and addressing the issue of their membership to the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission.
The Constitution Reform Process created the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and decided that the Toushaos should nominate three (3) members to the Commission.
This meeting of the Toushaos is deliberating on the nominations.
Toushaos are using the opportunity in Georgetown to follow up on concerns of their communities with Sector Ministers, State and Government Bodies.
President Jagdeo will be hosting a reception in honour of the presence of the Toushaos in Georgetown on Friday, February 15, 2004 at the Umana Yana.

OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA
The Government delegation to North America presented its report to Cabinet at its meeting of Thursday, February 12, 2004.
The Government team was led by Dr. Roger F. Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and included Ministers Gail Teixeira and Dale Bisnauth.
The team visited Toronto, Ottawa, New York and Washington D.C.
In Toronto the team hosted a meeting with Toronto based Guyanese before travelling to Ottawa to meet officials of the External Affairs Ministry.
In New York, well attended meetings were held in Brooklyn and Queens with the Guyanese community.
In Washington D.C, an official meeting was held at the State Department.
A well attended meeting was held with the Guyanese community at the Guyana Embassy in Washington, D.C.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION 2004
President Bharrat Jagdeo hosted a meeting of major stakeholders on Monday, February 9, 2004.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the major political parties, the Statutory Bodies and the Donor Community.
The meeting focused on the conclusion of the Local Government Reform Process as well as organising elections in 2004.
The meeting examined the issues raised by participants, proposing mechanism for addressing these issues and resolved to continue meeting on the Local Government election 2004 Agenda.