PRESS BRIEFING
January 2, 2004

1. Boards
2. Service Commissions
3. Communiqué
4. 2004

BOARDS

Cabinet at its meeting of December 30th, 2003 considered the uneven results on reappointment of Boards for 2004 and approved the extension of the life of all Boards expiring on December 31, 2004 save and except those already reappointed for 2004.

SERVICE COMMISSIONS

The recent appointment of the Public Service Commission for three (3) years is a most welcome development for the Administration.

The Constitutional practice of “Integrated Service” makes certain appointments pivotal for the reconstitution of other Constitutional Bodies - so it is with the PSC.

The Chairman to be elected would now allow the Constitutional and Statutory provision to be upheld for the appointment of the Police and the Judicial Service Commissions and the Commissioning Board under the Defence Acts. Similar expedition is expected with the appointment on entering into Service of the Police, Judicial and Teaching Service Commission in 2004.

COMMINIQUE
The end of 2003 provides an opportunity to review the outcome of the constructive engagement process that was issued by the May 6th Communiqué.

On the hold, the Parties have worked, especially the PPP/C Administration, to implement Agreements and to instill public confidence in the process.

The Public Buildings is now exclusively Parliamentary. The building current undergoing rehabilitation is the home of a Radically Reform Parliament.

The Executive Parliament as it is now known assumed with much vigor its new duties, responsibilities and obligation:

- Appointing Constitutional post holders and Bodies;

- Oversight of the Executive Body;
- Enacting Legislation under the new dispensations.

Last active in 2001, the Constitutional Service Commissions are being reappointed.

The newly inactive Rights Commission are still being Constituted.

On the political front, the constructive engagement was used to address “de novo” issues such as the Linden Municipality as well as the

2.

reports/recommendations of the six (6) bipartisan Task Forces appointed during the Jagdeo/Hoyte engagements.

With the engagement progress in those areas more focus will be paid to the item matters such as the

PPP/C Paper on Inclusive Governance, the depoliticisation of the Public Service, Crossing the Floor Legislation and permanent Elections Commission Legislation.