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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General Successfully Brokers Peace Talks in Guyana

9 May 1999

At the end of extensive discussions with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the leaders of the governing party, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) and the main opposition Peoples National Congress (PNC), agreed to resume their inter-party dialogue which broke down some months ago.

In a statement which the Caricom Secretary-General, Dr Edwin Carrington, faxed to Caricom Heads of Government Chief Anyaoku said:

I have had useful discussions with the leadership of the PPP/Civic and the PNC. The focus of my discussions has been my concern at the breakdown of inter-party dialogue with its inevitable consequences of growing tension between the parties and the adverse impact on the harmonious relations between various sections of the community.

Both sides reaffirmed to me their commitment to the spirit and letter of the Herdmanston Accord and the important on-going efforts of Caricom to assist in the resolution of their whole situation.

I am glad to announce that both sides have agreed to resume their dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In this context, they agreed that the remarks that the parties were not equal and the subsequent breakdown of the dialogue were regrettable and ought not to have occurred. They agreed for the future to avoid behaviour and language that is capable of undermining the constructive nature of the dialogue. They also agreed that the political dialogue between the parties which is to proceed on the basis of agreed agenda should not be confused with dialogue between government and opposition.

Note for Editors:
Caricom Heads of Government have been helping to resolve the serious political situation in Guyana since its last elections which were held in 1997. The inter-party dialogue, which is an essential part of the Herdmanston Accord and has had Mr Maurice King, former Attorney-General and Foreign Minister of Barbados as facilitator, broke down in March. The Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku was in Guyana 6 to 9 May and held several discussions with the leaders of the two main parties.

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678


99/30 9 May, 1999

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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