Czech Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to President
Georgetown , GINA, November 9, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo today received the new Czech Ambassador Mr. Jiri Jirank at an accreditation ceremony at the Office of the President.
Mr. Jirank presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State, as well as Letters of Recall from his predecessor.
Also present were Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Rudy Insanally, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Elizabeth Harper, Chief of Protocol Col. Francis Abraham and other officers within the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Czech Republic is a former Communist State in Eastern Europe. It became an independent and Sovereign State on January 1, 1993 pursuant to the dissolution of the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic into two sovereign states as a result of the general elections in 1992.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and newly accredited Czech Ambassadors, Mr.Jiri Jiranck just after his accreditation today at the Office of the President.
Guyana established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic in 1993. The exchange of Notes for the establishment of relations at Ambassadorial level was signed in April 1995 in Caracas.
The Czech Ambassador H.E. Antonin Blazek who was accredited in 2000 is resident in Caracas. Guyana’s High Commissioner to London is accredited to the Czech Republic.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of the Czech Republic has made a proposal to Guyana to consider the 1983 Trade, Cultural and Scientific Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Guyana and the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic as still being in force. This proposal is currently being considered, the Ministry indicated.
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GDF hosts fourth Military Tattoo
- Commander-in-Chief attends
Georgetown , GINA, November 9, 2005
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) this afternoon hosted it fourth Military Tattoo since its four decades of existence, much to the awe and amazement of Guyanese who crowded the playfield at Camp Ayanganna for a glimpse of the various military displays.
Among the euphoric spectators was the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also Patron of the event.
Today’s Military Tattoo began with a Parachute Display, followed by displays of Precision Drill, KATA, Martial Arts, Simulated Battle and Massed Band.
Ten parachutists jumped out of the SC7 Sky Van aircraft from 7,000 ft. above Camp Ayanganna playfield. The first batch comprising five soldiers jumped shortly after 17:00 hrs, followed by the second batch. The parachutists were outfitted with clothing depicting the colours of the GDF: green, yellow, red and white, and carrying with them various flags.
All ten successfully landed, after which the senior parachutist presented a token of the Golden Arrowhead, the national flag, to the Commander-in-Chief.
Forty-eight members of the Training Corps, including 20 women, then executed arm and foot drill movements without words of command, using the self-loading rifle.
They had undergone four weeks of intense training for this exercise. The aim of the Drills is to produce a soldier who is proud, obedient and alert, as well as teamwork, which are necessary attributes of good soldiering.
Members of the Infantry Battalion executed the KATA Display, which means “form”.
This is a series of pre-arranged attack and defence moves in a given order, which are always the same. It is a sort of rhythmic or war dance and at the same time a struggle against opponents who are trying to kill the soldier. The soldiers displayed the basic movements contained in all KATA.
Members of the Sports Corps displayed Martial arts, which comprised codified practices and traditions of training for combat, usually without the use of guns and modern weapons. Today’s display showed how to defend oneself from a gun or knife attacker and how to obtain the weapon from the attacker.
The crowd was particularly enthused by the Simulated Battle display, which was a joint operation conducted by ranks of the GDF to capture a drug lord and his accomplice. This saw a hail of gun fire between the soldiers and their opponents, with the ranks successfully capturing them in the end.
The Military Tattoo concluded with the Massed Band Display by the Band Corps, which has its origins in 1942. When the British Guiana Volunteer Corps was disbanded in 1966 the soldiers and instruments were incorporated into the GDF. One year later the GDF Band Corps was formed and officially established in 1973. It provides music for Military functions and parades. At this evening’s Band Drill Display, the Corps performed several pieces, including the popular soca song “What happen in de Party,” which had the crowd on its feet.
“Tattoo” was done originally by drum beat and warned soldiers to return to their quarters for the night. The drum beat for half an hour to allow soldiers to find their way home. The custom eventually developed into a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands, a few hours after sunset.
The Tattoo ceremony became popular in Britain in the 19 th century and after the first World War, the Tattoo was developed to include Military Displays.
The current Tattoo bears no connection to the original Tattoo, except for the music.
In Guyana, the Military Tattoo was first held at Eve Leary in 1920 y the British Guiana Militia.
Other Tattoos were held in 1963, 1985 (on the 20 th anniversary) and 1995 (30 th anniversary).
Today’s Military Tattoo was held as part of the 40h anniversary celebrations.
The event was organisd by a Tattoo Committee comprising Officers of the GDF.
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