PRESS BRIEFING

Friday, 27 February 2004

AGENDA

1. UPDATE: COMMUNIQUÉ

2. BORDER DISPUTE

3. CDE. CHEDDI JAGAN DEATH ANNIVERSARY - BABU JOHN NATIONAL MONUMENT

4. POST MASH

5. UPDATE: P.R.S.P.

6. BORDER ISSUE

UPDATE: COMMUNIQUÉ

The PNCR has increased its efforts at disengagement from the Constructive Engagement.

The PNCR has held out the Death Squad Issue as the sole source the origin of their current position of constructive Disengagement.

Some elements of the Constructive Engagement are irrevocable.

The Parliamentary aspects now have a life of their own.

The Ethnic Relations Commission is functioning. The Sectoral Committee are

operational and their importance/potential recognised the Public Sector Investment Programme.

The Service Commissions after a lapse of three (3) years have been reconstituted and are functioning.

The High Representatives are not meeting.

Mr. Robert Corbin is of the impression that he is invited at the Office of the President for photo opportunities.

CDE. CHEDDI JAGAN DEATH ANNIVERSARY

On March 5, 2004, the PPP and the PPP/C Government will begin the commemoration of the Death and Birth anniversaries of former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who died in Office.

March 6, the death anniversary will overlap the activities of Dr. Jagan’s birth anniversary on March, 22.

The centre piece of the death anniversary activities would be the activity at Babu John in the Corentyne on Friday, March 5, 2004.

On Thursday, March 4, 2004, Freedom House will be the venue of a “Night of Reflection” to be organised by the Youth Arm of the PPP, the Progressive Youth Organisation.

Media activities presentation etc would support the activity in Guyana.

The overseas Support Group in Canada, USA and UK would be hosting similar public activities in the Life and Works of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Dr. Jagan’s birth anniversary activities would be highlighted by the annual lecture service at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Red House.

2.

Presentation by Dr. Odeen Ishmael, Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela. The topic is on “Aspects of the Life and Works of Dr. Jagan”.

The Women’s Arm of the PPP, the Women’s Progressive Organisation would be hosting a public activity in the honour of the patriot.

A family fun day is planned for State House on March 21, 2004.

UPDATE: P.R.S.P.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy will again move into the highlight of National Life.

The PRSP, is setting out national goals for:-

Economic growth
Job creation
Poverty Reduction

always come to life at Budget time.

The Ministry of Finance has identified mid-March as Budget presentation day.

The Budget allocates funds to pay for activities, which target the goals of the PRSP.

In 2004, the Progress Report up to 2003, of the PRSP will also be prepared and be the basis of additional consultation.

Country conferences are planned, focal groups encounters will be carried out and Guyanese will again be involved in examining the implementation of the PRSP.

POST MASH

The 34th Anniversary celebrations have come and gone.

Minister Teixeira, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the other organisers, Private Sector sponsors participants and celebrants are all to be congratulated for an activity that executed and captured the mood of the city on Monday.

The results in the Region were similar but to a lesser degree.

Congratulations to winners already selected and congratulation to those soon to be crowned.

Security concerns were not as oppressive as before and apart from unfortunate episodes, all went well.

We will soon be provided with Tourism arrivals but the numbers seem to reveal the best ever tourists supported Mash in 2004.

We anticipate seeing more after 2004.

BORDER ISSUE

On February 24, 2004, the Government of Guyana formally notified the Government of Suriname of its decision to request the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea to give a compulsorily new binding decision on the Maritime Dispute between the two countries.

The occasion was handled in a very solemn and comprehensive way.

Only the PNCR Opposition declined the intervention to be briefed by the Administration.

Their justifications for such a course of action is unbelievable.

(1) Photo opportunity ploy by the Office of the President;

(2) Ingenious distraction by the Office of the President Death squad matter;

(3) A PPP/C make believe issue