By Ramona Luthi
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon today, (Friday), told media operatives that President David Granger believes that all the “resources of this country” are necessary for Guyana to move forward and as such, is always open for dialogue with the Opposition.
“The President has always expressed an interest in meeting and having dialogue with the Opposition… As the Government is concerned, the President has always made it clear that we are interested in dialogue, that we believe that all of the resources of this country, Government, Opposition, Private sector and all the stakeholders are necessary for us to move this country forward,’ he said during post-Cabinet press briefing today.
However, according to the Minister, it is the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that is constantly being ‘picky choosy’ about what they wish to engage on.
“…you know that the Opposition has been very selective in the matters they want to deal with. In the appointment of Boards and Commissions, they have chosen which of the ones they will go to. At meetings which they were invited, they have chosen which ones they will come; so it’s basically been a picking and choosing by them,” he asserted.
Just yesterday (Thursday) Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to being part of any formal talks with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) Coalition Government, once there is a clear agenda, and personnel on the part of the coalition who have the power, portfolio weight, and authority to make binding commitments during the discussions.
Jagdeo also made it clear that, as a responsible stakeholder, the PPP is not interested in entering “cosmetic talks and arrangements” that are aimed at achieving political mileage and deceiving the public that progress is being made between the Government and Opposition on key areas, especially those related to constitutional reform, governance, and the fight against all forms of political and public corruption.
