Latest update April 17th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 08, 2012 News
… AFC sets conditions
While Cabinet Secretary, Roger Luncheon, during yesterday’s weekly post Cabinet press briefing, announced that the three parliamentary political parties have agreed to resume meetings shortly; the Alliance for Change (AFC), during its press conference, pointed to some key requests to the government.
The party said that these are absolutely necessary for its engagement in talks at tripartite levels.
AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, noted that his party signaled interest in resumption of the tripartite talks when contacted by Luncheon. He also indicated that the AFC is optimistic of continuing from where it left off a few months ago; but with conditions.
Ramjattan made reference to the list of measures agreed on between the AFC and the government for the initial tripartite talks and expressed that “there are lots of other things that we will like to add to the list…”
First, Ramjattan said that the AFC will not be willing to longer tolerate “periods of lapses, extending for six or seven months.”
The lawyer said that a lot has occurred since the halt of initial talks at the tripartite levels, things “like Agricola and the Commission of Inquiry. Now the government seeks to call us back at their whim and fancy.”
He said that actions like that, will only lead the opposition to gain the perception that it is only when the “government of the day” finds its back against the wall and chooses to resume talks, that the opposition is informed.
“This is supposed to be an ongoing process. We were supposed to be invited to budget talks; we didn’t hear anything and now we are being told that we could have been invited. We will not stand to be treated with utter disrespect by the government…”
Ramjattan noted that there must be equality in the National Communication Network (NCN) dissemination of information and a halt to the demonization of the AFC leaders; characterizing them as being terrorists who arranged the “thuggery” at Agricola.
The lawyer stated that his party must be allowed the opportunity to have an input into the preparation of the 2013 budget.
In relation to budget preparation, Ramjattan cited a recent incident where the Region Eight Chairman who was scheduled to hand in a 2013 budget plan for the said region, was told not to worry with that plan; “and a different plan was structured by the PPPites.”
Ramjattan was adamant that his party should be privy to information on projects like the airport expansion plan. He noted that at present, his request is far from being honoured. “They are not giving any information; they seem to just want war and when the war isn’t going in their favour, they come to the talks; we are not going to be used.”
Ramjattan noted that he wishes for the tripartite talks to be recoded so that they can be referred to at any time.
“We discuss a lot of things at those tripartite talks but we are not getting what we discussed to the public.
“We believe that this country’s progress and development depend on a courteous realignment of all political ports so these talks are essential.”
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 17, 2024
2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 7…GHE vs. CCC Kaieteur Sports – After a highly-successful round 6, Guyana Harpy Eagles will look to take full advantage of the out-of-sorts...Kaieteur News – Every school teacher should take a close look at the students in his or her classroom. The probability... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]