Meeting Between Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic Of Guyana and
Mr Robert Corbin, MP, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform
At the Office of the President on Friday 2003 May 2.

Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana and Mr. Robert Corbin, MP, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform met at the Office of the President on Friday 2003 May 2 to discuss and resolve a number of issues of national importance. The discussions were held in an atmosphere of seriousness, born of their recognition of the need for their determined commitment to find solutions which are in the interest of all of the people of Guyana. They accepted the challenge for the immediate resolution of these issues, which go to the heart of Guyana’s socio-economic and political development, and affirmed their commitment to maintain the time-table for the expeditious implementation of all agreed solutions. They concluded that an on-going approach, based on their ‘Constructive Engagement’, would be beneficial for the long-term social, economic and political development of Guyana.

1. Parliamentary and Constitutional Reforms:
President Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin agreed that the implementation of
already agreed parliamentary and constitutional reforms is vital for the creation of
conditions for peace and development in contemporary Guyana.

1.1. The Appointment of the Seven New Standing Committees of the National Assembly:
They recognised that the appointment of the seven (7) new Standing Committees of the National Assembly will mark a historic step in the evolution of Parliamentary Democracy in Guyana. The National Assembly will now have, apart from the existing five (5) Sessional Select Committees, including the Public Accounts Committee, a total of twelve (12) functioning committees. Therefore, Members of Parliament will now be required to undertake, outside of the Sittings of the National Assembly, a substantially increased volume of on-going work in Committees of the National Assembly.

1.1.1. The Parliamentary Management Committee:
They agreed the composition and appointment of the Parliamentary Management Committee, in accordance with Section 3(h) of the St Lucia Statement of 1998 July 2.Accordingly, they took note of the fact that the Motion for the establishment of the Parliamentary Management Committee has been placed on the Order Paper of the National Assembly to be moved and debated at the first Sitting to be attended by the PNCR.

1.1.2. The Four Sector Committees:
In accordance with Article 119B of the Constitution, President Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed that the composition of each Sector Committee will be 4 PPP/C and 3 Opposition with both sides being allowed to appoint alternates who could attend meetings of the Committees in place of the substantive representative. The Sector Committees of the National Assembly to be responsible for Natural Resources, Economic Services, Foreign Relations and Social Services will, therefore, be appointed to immediately begin their work.

They also agreed that the Chairman of the Committees will alternate annually with two (2) Committees to be chaired by the PPP/C and two (2) Committees to be chaired by the PNCR. In addition, they approved the Terms of Reference and the Allocation of Gazeted Ministerial Responsibilities between the four Committees.

1.1.3. The Appointive Committee:
In accordance with Article 119C of the Constitution, President Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed the composition and appointment of the “Standing Committee to address matters relating to appointment of members of Commissions established under the Constitution”. Accordingly, they approved the terms of the Motion setting out the modalities for enabling this Committee to discharge its functions as mandated by Article 119C and noted that the Motion has been placed on the Order Paper of the National Assembly to be moved and debated at the first Sitting to be attended by the PNCR

1.1.4. The Constitutional Reform Committee:
The President and the Leader of the PNCR agreed the composition and appointment of the Constitutional Reform Committee, in accordance with Article 119A of the Constitution.
Each Party has submitted the names of its representatives for this Committee. They recognized the importance of this Committee for the acceleration of constitutional reform which is a necessary requirement for the nurturing of a democratic culture together with the strengthening and deepened of the democratic process in Guyana.

1.2. The Strengthening of the Capacity of the Parliament Office to Service the Committees:
President Jagdeo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing the necessary financial, human and other resources for the effective functioning of the National Assembly.

The President and the Leader of the PNCR both accepted that the appointment of the seven new Standing Committees, to function alongside the existing five Sessional Select Committees, together with the strengthening and improving the effectiveness and functioning of the National Assembly through the appointment of the Parliamentary Management Committee, will require significant increases in the 2003 Budgetary provisions for meeting the operational and other needs of the National Assembly. The President undertook to ensure that the Minister of Finance releases the resources needed in a timely manner to underwrite the smooth and effective functioning of the National Assembly.

President Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, noted the following arrangements and agreed that they should be kept under on-going review by the Parliamentary Management Committee.

1.2.1. Increasing the Administrative Capacity of the Parliament Office:
Initiatives have already been taken to ensure that the administrative capacity of the Parliament Office is adequately strengthened to support the work of all of the Committees and of the National Assembly as a whole. This is evidenced by the following documents which the Speaker made available to the Opposition:

? By letter dated 2003 March 28, document entitled: “Reorganisation of Parliament Office”; and
? By letter dated 2003 April 1, document entitled: “Activation of Commissions, Standing Committees, etc.”

They agreed that, as a matter of priority, the Parliamentary Management Committee will undertake a review of the capacity of the Parliament Office to discharge its functional responsibilities to the National Assembly and make whatever recommendations are deemed necessary to ensure that the Parliament Office is provided with the capacity and capabilities required for its efficient operation.

1.2.2. The Provision of Research and Documentation Support for the Work of the Committees:
The Parliament Office will provide adequate professionally qualified, experienced and competent Research and Documentation staff support as essential needs to facilitate the effective functioning of all of the National Assembly Committees. This would include the early appointment of a Research Coordinator supported initially by two professional researchers qualified in disciplines to be determined by the Parliamentary Management Committee. In addition, a bank of at least 6 computers connected to the internet would be made available, on an “open access” basis, for MPs to conduct “searches” during and after normal office hours.

1.2.3. Remuneration of MPs and Administrative and Logistical Support for Regional MPs:
The President gave the assurance that the existing statutory provisions for the remuneration of
MPs, including Regional MPs, are adequate and will be used to address the need to take account of the increased demands of Committee and other responsibilities which will now confront all MPs.

In the case of Regional MPs, there is critical need to make Budgetary provision for them to have office space, logistical support and transport facilities to ensure that they are able to discharge their responsibilities within their Regions

President Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin agreed that this matter should receive urgent attention and resolution.

1.2.4. Physical Facilities Within the Public Building:
The President and the Leader of the PNCR accepted the urgent need to enhance the physical facilities available at the National Assembly to support the work of the Committees and the Assembly as a whole. In that context, they noted that the Speaker had already taken the initiative to identify some of the possible options for the enhancement of the facilities of the National Assembly. They agreed that the proposals from the Speaker should be submitted to the Assembly Committee, through the Parliamentary Management Committee, for urgent consideration and recommendation.

1.3. The Appointment of the Constitutional Commissions:
President Jagdeo and Mr Corbin, the Leader of the PNCR, agreed that immediate steps should be taken to have all of the outstanding Constitutional Commissions appointed. These include the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Public Procurement Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Commissions for Women and Gender Equity, the Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of the Child.

The President also undertook to have the Fundamental Rights Bill tabled without delay for approval by the National Assembly.

It was agreed that the Government should take early steps, in accordance with Article 212I, to establish the Human Rights Commission Secretariat which “shall be the Secretariat for all the Commissions established under Article 212 G(1)”.

1.3.1. Establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR considered the question of the immediate establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission, bearing in mind the national context of the perceived need to remove the taint of racial discrimination and ethnic insecurity and to create the conditions that would lead to harmonious relations among the races of Guyana and thereby remove a factor which makes for instability and tension. They accepted that the establishment of this Commission is of national importance and agreed that its work must at all times be impartial, professional, sensitive and conducted in the interests of the nation as a whole.

The President confirmed that the Ethnic Relations Commission will be appointed without further delays, bearing in mind the need to establish a Secretariat, in accordance with Article 212B(5). It was reaffirmed that, as soon as the Commissions for Human Rights, Women and Gender Equity, the Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of the Child are appointed, a Nominee from each of them will be appointed to the Ethnic Relations Commission “ …..without the right to vote, …”.

1.3.2. The Appointment of the Public Procurement Commission:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin discussed the need for the transparent and efficient conduct of public procurement of goods and services by the State. They agreed that every effort should be made to expedite the early appointment of the Public Procurement Commission since its effective functioning will have a beneficial effect on the political climate and impact positively on the performance of the economy.

The President and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin confirmed that, in accordance with Article 212X (1) of the Constitution, “The Public Procurement Commission shall consist of five members who shall have expertise and experience in procurement, legal, financial and administrative matters.” Article 212X (2) mandates that, “The President shall appoint the members of the Commission after such members have been nominated by the Public Accounts Committee and approved by not less than two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly”

They agreed that both Parties would submit their list of persons who are eligible and qualified for appointment to the Public Procurement Commission to the Public Accounts Committee for nomination not later than Friday 2003 May 9.

The President acknowledged that, in accordance with Article 212AA, the Procurement Act 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002), which he assented to on 2002 June 28, must now be submitted for scrutiny, review and possible amendment by the Public Procurement Commission when soon after it is appointed.

1.3.3. Appointment of the Human Rights Commission:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed that the process for the appointment of the Human Rights Commission must await the election of the Leader of the Opposition.

1.3.4. The Appointment of the Commissions for Women and Gender Equity, Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of the Child:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, in recognition that the appointment of these Commissions require the National Assembly to agree a Consensual Mechanism to be used for that purpose, discussed and agreed the text for that mechanism which will be Tabled in the National Assembly by way of an agreed Motion.

2.0. Implementation of the Decisions of the Joint Committees:
The President and the Leader of the PNCR reviewed the decisions outstanding from the six joint committees established in the context of the dialogue between the late Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, and President Bharrat Jagdeo and agreed that the following actions would be taken.

2.1. National Policy on Land and House lots Distribution
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, discussed the Policy Paper, tabled by the Minister responsible for Housing and Water on 2002 May 9 in the National Assembly, and agreed that the Minister of Housing and Water should be given one month, from 2003 April 15, to modify the Policy Paper to meet the National Assembly Guidelines which require that the Government must:

? Submit clear, transparent and equitable national criteria for the distribution of land and house lots.
? Establish an independent statutory body to:
? Monitor the distribution of land and house lots to ensure that it is undertaken in compliance with the national criteria.
? Investigate complaints, including complaints about discrimination in the
distribution process.
? Provide adequate redress in proven cases.

They also agreed that the amended Policy Paper will be submitted for scrutiny by the Opposition to determine, within one month of the completion of the modifications, whether it satisfies the guidelines set by the National Assembly and, if not, to specify the changes which would be required.

Mr. Corbin, the Leader of thePNCR, proposed that:
? There should be a freeze on any further distribution of land and house lots until the national criteria and the mechanisms, specified by the National Assembly, are statutorily put in place.
? The Regional Democratic Councils of Region 4 and Region 10 should be allowed to establish Land Selection Committees which are based on similar principles to those in Region 6 and other PPP/C dominated Regional Democratic Councils.

The President gave the undertaking that, when the Policy Paper is debated and accepted by the National Assembly, the government will implement all of the provisions specified by the National Assembly Guidelines within a time-frame to be agreed with the Leader of the Opposition.

2.2. Local Government Reform
The President and the Leader of the PNCR agreed that:
? Since the Joint Committee was unable to complete its work and submit its final report before the expiry of the deadline set for the completion of its tasks, the Committee would be re-established with adequate support and resources to enable it to complete all of its remaining tasks within the period of three months.

The Joint Committee would:
? Give priority to the electoral system to be used for future Local Government Elections.

? Develop a suitable system and appropriate procedures for compulsory annual fiscal transfers to underwrite the autonomy of the local government organs.

? Determine the Terms of Reference for an independent constitutional Local Government Commission.

? Ensure that all of the draft Legislation for the implementation of all agreed local government reforms is prepared and presented to the National Assembly within six months of the resumption of the work of the Committee.

2.3. Depressed Communities Needs

President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed that:
? All of the projects for the Phase I Communities have been completed.

? The G$60Mn budgetary allocation for the projects already identified and agreed for the Phase II Communities should be released for the implementation of those projects.

? As envisaged at the very outset of the work of the Committee, the Parties should agree a comprehensive programme, including financial requirements, for addressing the problems of all depressed communities in Guyana.
? Urgent consideration would be given to the establishment of an Emergency Fund to be managed with the full involvement of the Parliamentary Parties to address problems in all depressed areas.

2.4. Radio Monopoly and Non Partisan Boards
The President and the Leader of the PNCR agreed that:
• The non-partisan management of the state-owned media, using the guidelines agreed by the Joint Committee, should be approved immediately.
• The draft legislation for comprehensive media reform, including the establishment of a National Broadcast Authority, would be completed and laid in the National Assembly within two (2) months from 2003 April 15.
• Equitable access to the state-owned media by all Parliamentary Parties should be instituted.
• The independent National Broadcast Authority should be the licence issuing authority for all “commercial” licences including for Commercial Frequencies.
• The NFMU would be responsible for providing technical advice to the NBA for the granting of commercial frequency licences.
• The Interim Broadcast Committee would be disbanded immediately the NBA comes into existence.
• The NFMU would be brought under the control and supervision of the National Broadcast Authority as soon as the Authority is established.
• There would be a freeze on the granting of all new frequencies by NFMU until such time that it is brought under the control of the NBA.
• The NBA would be asked to give priority to arrangements for the granting of radio broadcast licenses using the statutorily enshrined criteria.

2.5. Border and National Security Issues including the Recapitalisation of the GDF

The President and the Leader of the PNCR agreed that:
? The Joint Committee’s report which was submitted since 2002 July to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for editing would be laid and debated in the National Assembly.
? The Ministry of Foreign Affair would implement the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee.
? The Foreign Relations Sector Committee would be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee.

2.6. Bauxite Industry and Communities Resuscitation
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin agreed that, in view of the rapidly deteriorating social and economic conditions in Region 10, urgent agreement is necessary for the preparation of a comprehensive development programme for Region 10 that addresses such matters as the creation of new employment opportunities, the rehabilitation and satisfactory functioning of all of the public utilities; the establishment of an incentives regime for the attraction of inward-investments to the Region, and the creation of a fully supportive institutional environment for small and medium-scale business development by the inhabitants of the Region.

3. De-Politicisation Of The Public Service:
The Leader of the PNCR, Mr Robert Corbin, proposed that:
? The government must implement the agreed measures for the de-politicisation of the Public Service, including the removal of political Permanent Secretaries and the appointment of professionally qualified career Public Servants.

? The government must immediately stop the practice of recruiting persons on contract to fill establishment posts in the Public Service.

4. Appointment of PNCR Nominees to State Boards, Commissions and Committees:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin agreed that the appointment of PNCR Nominees to State Boards, Commissions and Committees should be subject to the following:
? The government issuing a “complete” list of all State Boards, Commissions and Committees to the PNCR;
? The PNCR being invited to submit Nominees to all State Boards, Commissions and Committees which become due for appointment in 2003;
? The PNCR would be entitled to submit Nominees for all State Boards, Commissions and Committees;
? Government would give 3 months notice to all State Boards, Commissions and Committees falling due for appointment in any year after 2003 December 31.

5. Other Critical Concerns:

5.1. The Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Operations of the Guyana Police Force:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed that the Terms of Reference and the Composition for the of the Disciplined Services Commission to conduct the Inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Police Force will be tabled immediately in the National Assembly by way of an agreed motion.

They also agreed that the Bill for the amendment to article 197A(5) of the Constitution, which is necessary to enable the conduct of the Inquiry, will be tabled in the National Assembly so that the work of the Commission could begin within two(2) weeks of their meeting.

5.2. Agreements for the Electricity Sector:
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin, agreed that, all existing agreements for GPL and the rest of the Electricity Sector should be immediately laid in the National Assembly for ratification by a two-thirds majority of elected Members and no new agreement would be signed unless laid in and approved by two-thirds of the elected Members of the National Assembly.

5.3. The Constitutional Office of the Leader of the Opposition: The government should make adequate budgetary and other provisions for the effective functioning of The Constitutional Office of the Leader of the Opposition, including the President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Leader of the PNCR, Mr Corbin agreed that, the government would make adequate budgetary and other provisions for the effective functioning of The Constitutional Office of the Leader of the Opposition, including the provision of office facilities, staffing and other necessary requirements.

6. Items Submitted by the Government:
[Henry Jeffrey provide text which has not been edited]

6.1. PPP/C Position Paper – “Towards Greater Inclusive Governance”
The PPP/C’s policy paper on inclusive government was discussed and the Leaders noted that the present efforts to establish the outstanding constitutional reforms would increase the level of political inclusion and association. They committed themselves to working together to institutionalize, a timely manner all the other outstanding constitutional arrangement and to creating the peaceful and supportive environment that these arrangements will require to take root and bear fruit.

6.2. Multi-Party Support for National Security Measures
President Jagdeo and Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Robert Corbin, committed their parties to work together to severely reduce the incidence of crime in our society. They applauded the work of the Civil Society and the Joint consultation process and stated their willingness to involve all interested Guyanese in the fight against crime. They discussed the problem of Buxton and the various policies and programmes the government has deployed. They agreed that such programmes, policies and activities, the ideas developed in the Joint Consultation process and any new approaches should be put together in a single comprehensive strategy. They further agree to urgently appoint a five (5) person committee (three –3- and two –2- to be nominated by the President and the Leader of the PNCR respectively) to complete this task within one (1) month.

6.3. Guyana/Suriname Relations

6.4. National Development Strategy
The two leaders agreed that, as a document in which a wide cross section of Guyanese collaborated, the National Development Strategy paper could form the basis for a concerted effort to improve our rate of growth and general level of development. They agree to urgently organize a joint committee on investment and related issues to help shape and enhance the investment and development climates in Guyana.