President clears the air on Oliver Hinckson issue
-says his name was never mentioned at Jan 26 press conference
Georgetown, GINA, March 14, 2008
Addressing the media today during a Press Conference at the Office of the President, Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo commented on the recent press release issued by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R).
The press release had stated that it was the President’s reference to former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson during a January 26 Press Conference following the Lusignan massacre which led to his (Hinckson’s) arrest recently.
The President told the media today that during the Press Conference which he hosted at State House on the day of the killing, he never mentioned Oliver Hinckson’s name.
“I spoke about a criminal. I didn’t mention a name. So, they said he was charged because I mentioned his name there; I never mentioned his name at that press conference,” Mr. Jagdeo said.
He added that he spoke about a criminal as he responded to a question raised by a media representative.
“Now it could be many people who are criminals but Hinckson sought to respond because he felt it was him although I didn’t mention his name and the PNC/R has misled people again saying I mentioned Hinckson,” President Jagdeo said.
Alluding to some statements raised by Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin during the national stakeholders meeting that the police have been arresting several individuals, President Jagdeo stated that he queried then, what it is that the Opposition Leader wants.
“From the time the police go after someone, even before they have started questioning the person, the PNC issues a release and they show up at the police station. Now clearly, if you believe in professionalism, you should allow the police to act. They (the PNC/R) are judge and they are jury. They already know who is guilty and who is innocent.”
He pointed out that the main Opposition Party has always been saying that the Government (the Executive) should not interfere with the police, yet whenever the police make arrests, the PNC/R, without knowing the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the information the police receive or whether the individuals are criminals, declares them innocent.
“I asked Mr. Corbin about that. I asked him how is it that you know? Did you find out from the police what evidence they have before you made the statement? He said, “Oh, we don’t have a problem with the police doing it but, we have a problem about the manner in which they do it.”
President Jagdeo then concluded that if the Party has a problem with the way the police is doing its work then this is what should be said, and not that the arrested person is innocent.
“I would urge them to stay away from the fiction and the rhetoric…..if we really want to cooperate on these issues and not pump people up with rhetoric, we should stick to the facts and I’m urging the PNC to do that,” the President underscored.
As it relates to the murder of Guyana’s most wanted Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins’ sister, President Jagdeo stated that the act was reprehensible and that she should not have paid for her brother’s crime.
“He’s a criminal and we have to hunt him down with all the forces that we have, but no person should be killed because their brother or any member of their family is a criminal in this country,” the Head of State asserted.
He said it seems as though the PNC/R knows who the killer is since they have been making statements to this effect.
“The PNC/R knows already. They should tell the police,” he added.
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GHRA practising bad governance-President says
Georgetown, GINA, March 14, 2008
Responding to a question by a reporter on the issue of the Guyana Human Rights Association’s (GHRA) request that Government withdraw the sedition charge against former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson, the President said that the body is practising bad governance.
“I think this was adequately answered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, so I am not going to get involved in that. Again, the GHRA needs to first of all find out if there is any merit to the charge,” the Guyanese Leader said.
The President stated that the GHRA seems to be taking the place of judge and jury in the matter and noted that organisations as such usually say they wish to promote good governance even when they are not examining both sides of an issue.
“The case hasn’t been presented as yet and they’ve already come to a conclusion. That’s an example of bad governance and the GHRA is practising bad governance,” the Head of State opined.
The GHRA, in a statement issued on March 12 called for the sedition charge against Hinckson to be withdrawn. It said that the act was ‘mean spirited’.
Responding, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement in which it expressed its shock and disappointment over the statement, stating that the GHRA is unfair and clearly misinformed over the details surrounding the issues.
The Ministry said that it was only after police investigations and after having sought the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) that the charge of sedition was laid against Hinckson.
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President Jagdeo receives prestigious Pushkin Medal
-expresses gratitude to Russians
Georgetown, GINA, March 14, 2008
Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo today received the prestigious Russian Pushkin Medal from Russian Ambassador to Guyana Pavel Sergiev at State House on Main Street.
The President along with other Head of State, including President of the Czech Republic, Stepan Mesich was bestowed with the Medal in 2007 by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Pushkin Medal, established on May 9, 1999 was invented to commemorate the 200th birth of well-known great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. It is given to persons who have contributed greatly to popularising the Russian language and culture and preserving the historical and spiritual heritage of the country, as well as strengthening comprehensive ties between countries, nations and peoples.
The Award is silverware and consists of the portrait of Pushkin on its right side and the poet’s embossed signature in its centre, while the Medal’s number is on the reverse side.
Expressing his gratitude at receiving the prestigious commodity and for such high honour, the President speaking Russian thanked the Ambassador and people of Russia.
He said he recalled his student days when he received the foundation of a higher education without which he could not occupy the position he currently holds.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the President of Russia and the Russian people not only for this award, but also for the assistance rendered in all spheres of economic and social life for the continuous support for Guyana’s efforts to improve the well-being of its people,” the Head of State said.
President Jagdeo recalled that during the time he spent in Russia, he had the opportunity of witnessing the richness and depth of Pushkin’s legacy and therefore, was truly proud and privileged to be one of the select group of recipients of the medal.
He also noted that the friendship between Guyana and Russia is based on many years of fruitful diplomatic relations and cooperation in several areas of mutual interest and concern.
The Head of State also made reference to the several fruitful initiatives between the two countries, including development in the bauxite industry.
He also thanked the Russian people for the scores of Guyanese who were able to study in Russia in the areas of economics, human medicine, agriculture, engineering and other disciplines.
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