Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General says Opposition statement is important for Guyana's stability

6 July 2001

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today welcomed the ongoing political dialogue and spirit of reconciliation in Guyana.

Speaking on his return from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in Nassau, Mr McKinnon said he had been impressed by the reports he had received and urged that reconciliation and dialogue should become permanent features of Guyana's democracy and society. He said:

I have been heartened by the ongoing dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Desmond Hoyte. In particular, I was pleased to learn about Mr Hoyte's statement during the closing debate on the 2001 budget last week.

I commend the statesmanship shown by both the President and the Leader of the Opposition. It is important for stability and democracy in Guyana.

The Commonwealth will continue to follow developments with interest and commitment and we stand ready, as always, to assist in any way we can.

Note to Editors:
In a statement made during the debate on the 2001 Budget on 30 June, Mr Desmond Hoyte, Leader of the main opposition party, People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/Reform), urged a fresh start to keep Guyana intact, since "most people have nowhere else to go" and there was "no good reason why we cannot forge a national consensus". Mr Hoyte also commented on his ongoing talks with President Jagdeo, saying they have reached a "significant stage in the political evolution of our country."

There have been post election tensions in Guyana since March this year.






01/43 6 July 2001

Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int