When I assumed the Presidency in 1999, I made it an expressed priority to pursue dialogue between the government, the political opposition, religious organizations, various representative groups and civil society as a whole. Again, in my inauguration speech of 2001, I extended an invitation for dialogue with the Leader of the Opposition. My government remains committed to building an inclusive democracy in our country and to continuously engage in dialogue and consultation with all political parties and civil society to build national consensus on issues that will lead to enhanced unity, stability and prosperity.

Dialogue remains the preferred way of resolving differences offering as it does an alternative to confrontational politics. I view this process as a necessary component of good governance aimed at fortifying the democratic moorings of the ship of state. It is against this background that I welcomed the initiative of the Social Partners Grouping.

The Joint Communiqué on Crime is the outcome of the engagements between government and the parties in Parliament, under the auspices of several organisations. I thank the grouping for their unceasing efforts in brokering this Communiqué, which has found acceptance by all the state and all parties represented in Parliament. It is with confidence that I anticipate that the measures contained within the Communiqué will be embraced and supported by the wider society.

I wish also to express my profound appreciation to all the other signatories to the documents and hope that the consummation of the Communiqué will serve as impetus for other agreements between the parties as we deepen the process of inclusive government provided for in our Constitution.

Our country has in recent times, gone through a troubling period and I am hopeful that the Joint Communiqué on Crime, will send a clear signal to the society that the promotion of law and order goes beyond partisan considerations.

I am also hopeful that the measures agreed upon will help to build confidence in the efforts of our law enforcement agencies as they further commit themselves to reduce crime and that the public will support the crime fighting operations of these agencies.

I welcome the Communiqué and commit my Government’s energies and resources to ensuring that the measures agreed upon would be implemented. In addition, I endorse the establishment of the Security Advisory Committee and pledge to facilitate its work.

The signing of the Communiqué represents an important milestone in our history. It shows that with effort, patience and goodwill we can reach across the political divide and build consensus on matters of national importance including the fight against crime and the maintenance of law and order.