Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General Calls for Calm in Guyana

11 April 2001

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today appealed to the people of Guyana to maintain calm and public order.

Mr McKinnon was reacting to reports of recent disturbances in Guyana, which have led to violence and destruction of property.

Expressing his concern about the violence, the Secretary-General recalled one of the conclusions of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the recent elections, "that Guyana will only be able to go forward if it can transcend its still largely ethnic politics and find a way to build inclusiveness and unity."

"Such a solution can only be found through dialogue", he stressed. "The Commonwealth stands ready to assist towards that end."


01/29 11 April 2001

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