PRESS BRIEFING
Wednesday, March 19, 2003

1. GOG/USA MOU - DEPORTEES

Cabinet revisited the on going GOG/USA negotiations on the MOU governing treatment of deportees from the USA.
Since the action by the US Authorities leading to the increased numbers of returning deportees, the Government of Guyana has applied itself to fashion MOU to govern the activity. The entire Caricom Community was collectively addressing the same issue as the deportees’ matter involved particularly Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana on the receiving end and the USA and Canada on the sending end.
The ideal was a comprehensive concern to the USA Agreement on the subject, but progress was slow and the process led to individual negotiations.
The Guyana side, in recognising potential and real difficulties in adequate coping with the large influx of deportees, has argued strongly for the provision of appropriate assistance.
The request for which was originally supported on clearer examination of the issue and particularly first hand dealing with the returning and returned deportees, Guyana also presented requests for legal and compassionate treatment of deportees particularly conclusions of ongoing legal issues, access to personal assets and sensitive handling of health care matters.
There exist much common ground on the procedural aspects of the deportee’s return to Guyana.

2. PRESIDENT JAGDEO/ROBERT CORBIN MEETING

The preliminary activities leading to the planned meeting continues.
Cabinet welcomed the update that was provided by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Reepu Daman Persaud. Both representatives Minister Persaud and Mr. Carberry are conscious of the commitment of the President and the Opposition Party leader. Cabinet held out great anticipation that the meeting would materialise soon.
In the meanwhile, the delay in the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition attracted increasing concern of the President and his Cabinet.

3. GT&T/ATN VS. IDB

GT&G/ATN lost the return of its legal battles in the USA on its dispute with the GOG.
The District Court rejected efforts of ATN to reserve Guyana’s Courts in Arbitration procedures on disputes between the two sides. That ruling has provided the Guyana side that the Board can now process the ICT loan. That ruling has also created possibilities for the resumption of direct negotiations between GOG and ATN/GT&T, a point made by GT&T in their most recent letter to Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Hinds.

4. GUYANA/SURINAME RELATIONS

The Guyanese Administration has reacted to the Surinamese provocation.
The Guyana position has been publicised and simply put it utterly rejects the attempt by Suriname to engage in the current form of territorial aggressions.
The new River Triangle is a part of Guyana. The Administration has also formally protested to the Surinamese Authorities. That was the briefing provided by Minister Insanally to Cabinet.
Notwithstanding, the provocation action by Suriname, the climate at the ongoing Border Commissions meeting was conducive to discussions.

5. UK SECURITY TEAM SCOPING MISSION

The Security Sector welcomed the presence of the UK Security team tasked with concluding a scooping Mission intended to settle the provision of the UK collaborating with Guyana Authorities in addressing the overall Security situation in Guyana.
The Mission requested by the Guyana Government followed yearlong support to the Administration on planning Reform in Judiciary, Prison Service and Police Force.
The Mission, in the scooping activities has been meeting major stakeholders in Guyana and plans to conclude the activity this week.