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Statement by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs,
Ms. Gail Teixeira

Last Friday June 9, I was asked by the Media about my opinion of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix.

I stated that he was a professional and that he had given me support as the Minister of Home Affairs.

I now wish to comment publicly on the publicized pleadings of the Commissioner of Police in his move to the High Court of Guyana to forestall the Prime Minister from discharging his constitutional function to determine whether to advise the President about an investigation into the contents of the tapes, their authenticity and whether those constituted misbehaviour on the part of the Commissioner.

Further, his action is also seeking to prevent the Prime Minister from considering advising the President to launch an investigation into the source of the tapes and its implications for National Security.

If the Commissioner of Police has nothing to hide and the disclosures on the tapes are all forgeries, surely in the face of mounting public concern he would see merit in not opposing an investigation as laid out in the constitution.

The Commissioner of Police has reportedly pleaded that “it appears to me that the Government of Guyana has adopted Khan’s stated objectives and has purportedly commenced invocation of the constitutional provisions to effect my removal from office.”

The Commissioner further stated that, “it appears as if the Government like Khan is intent on removing me from office.”

I would like to disclose to the Commissioner of Police how erroneous his conclusions are and the height of recklessness he has publicly displayed in making those unworthy claims.

In fact, it is indeed true that many Guyanese have been shocked and affronted by the revelations on the tapes. So serious were those disclosures such as, shielding criminals, conspiring to divert attention from criminals, aiding and abetting unlawful actions and planting drugs on innocent people, that no one questioned the Government’s responsible action in seeking external technical and professional advice on the matter.

What the Commissioner of Police in his pleadings seems to have conveniently overlooked is that since the release of the first tape in March 2006, neither by commission nor by omission has the Government sought to constrain the Commissioner of Police and the Joint Services from discharging their statutory functions with regards to law enforcement interventions.

The joint operations which began after the loss of the AK 47’s from the Army HQ lead to the raids on the properties of persons allegedly involved in narcotics as well as those well known to the public and internationally in the narco-trade on March 19. The Commissioner cannot allege or accuse the Government of any attempt to interfere in this process from that time up to today.

Nor has it interfered in anyway with their fight against armed bandits, hijackers, backtrackers, fuel smugglers, gun runners, in their search for the weapons stolen from the GDF or the apprehension of members of the Buxton or any other armed gangs.

In fact, what the Commissioner is fully aware of has been the Government’s timely and heightened moral, financial, and logistical support for him and the Joint Services, in their responses to criminal activities.

Since the release of the tapes, the theft of the weapons from the GDF and the horrific assassination of Minister Sawh and family, the Administration had provided to the Joint Services an additional sum of more than $20M for intelligence gathering, authorised the deployment of the GDF from their barracks and enlisted international assistance in the criminal investigations.

Since the airing of the first tape, the Commissioner cannot claim that he has in any way been prevented or encountered any resistance or hostility from the Government in discharging his statutory function.

In fact, it has not been the Administration but the Georgetown Chamber and members from the Private Sector Commission who have been repeating calls for his resignation.

I wish to repeat that if the Commissioner has nothing to hide and the disclosures on the tapes are all forgeries, in the face of mounting public concerns about professionalism and ethical conduct, he would see merit in not opposing an investigation as laid out in the constitution.

At the time of his assumption of office, the Commissioner called on Guyanese to hold him accountable. Many hard working policemen and women are facing the loss of credibility of their organisation, the Guyana Police Force.

It is that context that the Commissioner is ignoring.

What the Commissioner has not as yet responded to, is Roger Khan’s public statements about the cozy relationship that he shared with Mr. Khan.

On the surface, it seems that the Commissioner has embarked on an unprofessional course of action, seeking to discredit the Prime Minister and the Administration while using the courts and other technicalities to stave off an investigation into his conduct.

By inference and by words, the Commissioner of Police has unprofessionally and precipitously gone to the courts prejudging the actions to be taken by the Hon. Prime Minister and His Excellency the President on the basis of unsubstantiated and baseless claims against the Government.

Most unacceptably, he went further to accuse the Prime Minister of abdicating his constitutional responsibilities and taking actions governed by partisan political interests. The Commissioner of Police has also rushed to pre-judge the outcome of a tribunal established by the Judicial Service Commission to investigate his behaviour, had these steps been invoked. The Commissioner of Police's move to the High Court and the grounds for his action are reckless and has undermined his professionalism. His apparent preoccupation with a so-called battle between himself and Roger Khan has created an opportunity for those who have unmistakable partisan political agendas to lead him to this confrontational and unmitigated attack on the Government. He has cast his lot with a partisan political outlook.

June 14, 2006

CARICOM Chairman calls on President Jagdeo

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, this morning met Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo as part of his mission to five Member States.

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning at the Office of the President during Manning’s country mission. (OP/Sandra Prince photo) – June 14,06

Guyana is the first of the five countries to be visited by Prime Minister Manning, whose term as Chairman of CARICOM, ends June 30. The Prime Minister is visiting other Heads of Government to bring them up-to-date on initiatives he pursued during his tenure.

Accompanying Manning to the meeting with President Jagdeo were CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin Carrington and other CARICOM officials.

The mission includes visits to Suriname and Barbados today and to Belize and Jamaica on Friday, June 16.

Following his meeting with President Jagdeo at the Office of the President, Prime Minister Manning hosted a media briefing at the CARICOM Secretariat, Liliendaal, and a session with the staff of the Secretariat. This follows a commitment the Trinidadian Prime Minister made to the staffers in January when he visited the Secretariat.

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Cabinet updated on telecommunication woes in Region 10

– Outreach concludes

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

Cabinet, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo has concluded its second outreach to Region Ten for the year. During his interaction with residents one of the main complaints was the lack of access to telecommunication services, particularly in the riverain communities along the Berbice River.

On June 12 and 13, the Head of State visited several of these communities including Ituni, Maple Town, Kwakwani, Bamboo Landing and Hururu. Some of the communities were provided with telephone services but they are now out of order.

Frustrated residents pleaded with the Head of State to ensure that the services are provided to their communities, since according to them, this vital link has excluded them from becoming aware of what is happening in the rest of the country. Additionally, they incur expenses to travel to Linden or other areas since they cannot communicate by telephone with persons there.

“I would have to talk to Joe Singh. He has recently taken over the management of the company, to see if they can’t look at these areas. I agree that the service is absolutely important, but you see, this is a private company. We cannot tell them what to do. We can only talk to them,” President Jagdeo told residents at various community meetings.

He explained that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) was privatised in 1990 by the former Administration and was granted a 40-year monopoly without any evaluation of assets or public tender.

GT&T, the President added, has since been making huge profits, with US$80M in advisory fees alone.

“This does not include the rate of return…but although they have made a lot of money, they have not provided the service we need,” President Jagdeo told agitated residents at Ituni.

He explained that for this reason Digicel, a Caribbean giant in the telecommunication field, will be licensed in Guyana shortly.

The world is moving forward with regard to technological advances and Guyana cannot afford to be left behind, the President said. He added that the country’s progress in the area of Information Technology is being hampered by GT&T’s unreliable service.

This licensing of Digicel would not affect GT&T’s monopoly, since the company does not have control over cell service provision.

To liberalise this industry and create competition, the current administration licensed a cell service competitor – Cel Star. The competition, President Jagdeo said would see the cost of cell phone calls reducing further.

When GT&T introduced the GSM service, it catered for 30,000 customers. However, their customer base has since expanded to 90,000.

According to the President, GT&T’s monopoly has constrained the growth of the industry, particularly with respect to call centres’ operations. These have the potential to create hundreds of jobs for Guyanese, especially for young people. A call centre was recently established in Guyana and President Jagdeo said that the company has had difficulties with the unreliability of the service. He noted that twice the Americas II cable went down. The call centre conducts business with foreign clients and hence, depends on the internet access for communication. Failure in centres’ systems would result in a loss of clients. The said call centre has a potential to employ 1000 Guyanese, but to date has only employed 200 because its growth is constrained by the unreliable and costly bandwidth. In addition to employment creation the internet enables persons to make cheap overseas calls.

Government hopes to enhance the education system through online teaching to supplement the current system. President Jagdeo noted that either supplementary or direct classes could be offered for children online if households are connected.

“I want to ensure that in five years we have at least 80 percent of our Guyanese households connected to the internet. With wireless internet, it is very simple to do,” the President said.

The Head of State also noted that government is trying to address the issue of migration via improved technology, so that there would be more opportunities and “hopefully they would not want to migrate because they could work for companies anywhere in the world from right here.”

The Head of State undertook to provide computers for some of the communities to be used by the public. He said government would examine the option of providing wireless internet using BROADBAND so that residents could be informed of national and world developments.

Additionally, residents raised concerns about non-accessibility to the State-owned radio station (National Communications Network) frequency. Residents are also deprived of broadcast material, since they have no television signal.

President Jagdeo promised that this would be rectified within a month, “even if we have to shuttle tapes in of the news and set up a system for you to see it. We can’t have the hinterland communities cut off.”

The President would be meeting NCN management to work out an arrangement.

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Buxton must be restored to normalcy – Home Affairs Minister

- Security chiefs, Minister, visit Joint Services camp

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

The village of Buxton must be restored to normalcy, affording members of the community the opportunity to live in a peaceful and non-violent environment, in which the full potential of the village can be realised.

This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira, who along with Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Edward Collins, and Commissioner of Police (GPF), Winston Felix, conducted an inspection of Camp Buxton, at the backlands of the village.

The Minister expressed concern that the village has been under siege for a considerable period of time, thereby endangering the lives of villagers and impeding the development of the community.

The team, led by the Home Affairs Minister, was briefed on the progress of the operation, which commenced on February 27, following the discovery of missing weapons from the GDF Base Ayangana, Thomas Lands.

To date the operation has resulted in the arrest and detention of several persons, including former members of the GDF James Gibson and Oliver Hinckson. Gibson was wanted by the police at the time of his arrest.

Additionally, 200 vehicular and 178 foot patrols were conducted, along with 101 road blocks. This has resulted in 147 persons being arrested, and in excess of 60 vehicles being impounded.

Firearms, including one of the missing AK-47s, ammunition, and military equipment have also been seized.

The success of the operations so far, according to security officials, is attributable to intelligence gathering by both the GDF, and the GPF, on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara, the Corentyne Coast, Essequibo, Lethem and Georgetown.

Security officials reported that no engagement with armed criminals has occurred for a significant period of time, and the village is showing signs of a return to normalcy.

Minister Teixeira also interacted with residents, who expressed appreciation for the continued presence of the Joint Services, which they said, have enabled them to feel more secure.

The joint operations, in which the GDF’s role is to provide support to the Police Force, is expected to continue, as efforts to recover the missing weapons, and tackle crime and violence, continue.

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More energy conservation awareness needed in Region 10

-Prime Minister

Georgetown , GINA, June 14, 2006

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has expressed concern about the low level of electricity conservation in some parts of Region 10.

The comment followed a recent Cabinet outreach to the Region.

Linden which currently has the highest electricity consumption rate per household has been receiving a subsidized supply for the past several years. The cost is currently in the vicinity of $150M monthly.

This move was initiated in recognition of economic hardships faced by many Lindeners as a result of a decline in the bauxite sector in the mid-1980s.

Prime Minister Hinds noted that the average Lindener pays only about 10 percent of the total electricity consumed.

A recent energy consumption initiative undertaken by Government was piloted in the community with the hope of effecting a decrease in the energy bill.

During a recent outreach by Cabinet it was observed that many persons particularly in Wismar, Linden burn at least one electrical bulb/lamp for 24 hours daily.

Even though the energy initiative has recorded positive results, greater reductions can be made in the community’s monthly energy bill if persons are more conscientious about the use of electricity.

This will result not just in lower monthly energy charges but reduced national dependence on petroleum.

After successful completion in Region 10 the energy initiative was extended to other parts of Guyana including Region 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and is soon to be introduced elsewhere.

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Cabinet completes successful outreach in Region 10

- Lindeners express satisfaction

Georgetown , GINA, June 14, 2006

A number of successes have been recorded following a recent outreach to Region 10 by President Bharrat Jagdeo and members of his Cabinet.

The two-day exercise which covered the entire Region, focused on the development of several sectors among which were bauxite, housing, roads, water and agriculture.

Several concerns were addressed in a number of outlying and riverain communities.

One significant initiative was government’s recommitment to address challenges currently plaguing the bauxite sector in Linden.

In addition to financial support for the sector, government will be providing training for about 500 workers of Omai Bauxite Incorporated.

The housing sector received a major boost with the distribution of approximately 500 land titles to residents of Wisroc Phase 1B, in Wismar and Amelia’s Ward Block 22, in Mackenzie.

Two teams from the Ministry of Housing and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission will be in the community this month-end to commence conveyance the process for the distribution of land titles to other communities.

Areas to benefit include Lower Kara-Kara, Canvas City, Silver City, Green Valley and Victory Valley.

In addition to validating legal ownership, land titles can be used to access loans from financial institutions.

A well is soon to be dug in Amelia’s Ward to ensure the supply of pure water to residents.

Road works and drainage and irrigation will be a major focus of government over the next few months.

A number of road projects including repairs and upgrades are also being considered by government.

Tendering for construction of a $2B hospital complex will be reopened later this week and the facility will provide premier healthcare services for all Region 10 residents.

Additional initiatives are underway for the community including investment in the timber industry.

One of the motives of the Administration is to remove residents’ traditional dependency on the bauxite industry.

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Misinformation undermining public confidence – GECOM

- not obligated to verify 2001 OLE

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is concerned about the irresponsible behaviour of political parties that seek to peddle inaccurate information to misinform Guyanese.

The Commission in a release today stated: “Unfounded and inaccurate public comments by leaders in our society do not and will never contribute to building public confidence in the electoral process”.

The Commission believes that this will contribute to undermining public confidence in the Commission.

The Commission was responding to comments made by Co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Dr. Rupert Roopnarine regarding the legality surrounding the use of the 2001 Official List of Electors (OLE) in producing the 2006 Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) and the pace of GECOM’s preparation.

GECOM deems Roopnarine’s comments as ‘grossly inaccurate and misleading.’

The Commission indicated that the 2001 OLE and Addendum were subjected to various aspects of verification.

These include copying the records for persons appearing on the 2001 OLE to a new database. This exercise underwent a Cyclic Redundancy Checksum (CRC) comparison exercise to ensure the authenticity of the data.

Data stored in the Multiple Identity Document Issuing System (MIDIS) was checked against the records held in the new Database. This resulted in the production of a list of all corrections made directly in the MIDIS that are not reflected in the 2001 OLE.

Approximately 17,000 names of deceased persons forwarded to GECOM by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) were struck off the list.

GECOM also verified the identity and residency of all electors who have given notification of change of address in producing the 2006 PLE.

The inked fingerprints of electors listed on the 2001 OLE have been scanned and cross-matched by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) and the results of this exercise will be available by the end of this week.

Multiple registrants from this process will be eliminated from the voters’ list.

With reference to verification of the 2001 OLE, the Commission reiterated that “it wasnever GECOM’s duty (nor is it now) to verify the 2001 OLE by house-to-house verification.

There is no law which makes it obligatory for GECOM to conduct any verification of the 2001 OLE. This is made absolutely clear in the independent legal opinion which GECOM sought and received from Attorney-at-Law, Ashton Chase.

GECOM expressed confidence that it will be able to bring off the Elections as scheduled in the electoral calendar, unless it is thrown off track by political interferences.

The statement further said, “If GECOM had conducted a house-to-house verification exercise, there is/was no law which provides for persons who are not found at their registered addresses to be removed from the 2001 OLE.”

To do so, the Commission said it would be illegal and GECOM could be taken before the courts for disenfranchising eligible electors.

GECOM said it continues to be guided by the legal provisions associated with preparations for and the holding of Elections.

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Minister Nawbatt for Cane Grove tomorrow

• Farmers raise grievances with President

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

Farmers of Cane Grove and surrounding communities, Region Four, would have their concerns further addressed when Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harry Narine Nawbatt and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (ND&IA) visit the areas tomorrow.

This follows a meeting they had today with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President to raise their concerns, which include drainage, land for cattle rearing and the performance of local authorities.

Farmers of Cane Grove and surrounding communities, Region Four, met President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President to raise their concerns. Also present at the meeting was Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harry Narine Nawbatt. (OP/Sandra Prince photo) – June 14, 06

Farmers said they are adversely affected as a result of the drainage pump’s operation.

Minister Nawbatt said he and Mr. Narine would be in Cane Grove, Strathavon and Vereeniging, staring at 08:30 hrs tomorrow.

Farmers also expressed concerns about rumours that the state land being used by farmers for cattle rearing has been allotted to an individual and they would no longer be allowed to use it.

However, they were assured by the President that the land was not given to anyone, but remains for the use of all cattle farmers in the area.

Meanwhile, residents also raised several concerns about the operations of the local authorities. As explained by Minister Nawbatt, the President was told by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council that the Regional Administration dictated the spending of the $3M subvention granted by Central Government. The money was spent on maintenance works, when it should have been used to fund capital works.

The President’s staffers will follow up on the matter.

The general feeling at the end of the meeting was one of satisfaction, according to both the Minister and residents.

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Cabinet takes outreach to Region Three

… Several communities to be visited Thursday

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

The Cabinet, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo, will take its Outreach programme to Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) this week.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his last media briefing announced that the Cabinet will begin its outreach programme again, touching several communities across the country.

The Region Three Outreach, scheduled for Friday, June16, is part of the PPP/C Administration’s trend of maintaining grassroot contact, and will focus on ways in which Government can enhance the provision of goods and services to the communities.

In the past Cabinet members have increasingly observed, during their visits to the 10 Administrative Regions, that there is a weakness with managing information flow at the community level to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Government’s programmes.

It is in this context that the accountability framework was adopted by Cabinet in 2005 to ensure enhanced communication between the local authorities and central Government.

Under this new framework, Local Authorities will have to submit monthly reports through the Local Government and Sectoral Ministers to Cabinet.

On June 12 and 13 the Cabinet was in Region Ten.

CABINET OUTREACH - REGION THREE – June 16, 2006

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Efforts underway to accelerate drainage of Burma housing scheme

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006.

A tractor pump was deployed this morning to aid drainage of the Burma housing area where water has accumulated as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

Regional Chairman of Region Five, Harrinarine Baldeo explained that this measure was taken because of the length of time it would take for the water to enter the Burma main canal before flowing into the Bellamy canal to be discharged into the ocean. This is due to the basin-like structure of the housing scheme.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harry Narine Nawbatt, who was mandated by President Bharrat Jagdeo to conduct regular assessments in the region, was in the area today to check on the situation. Reports indicate that the water has begun to recede.

Commenting on the overall situation in the region, Baldeo said the coastal areas are currently unaffected by the heavy rainfall.

Yesterday, Minister Nawbatt was in the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks. It was reported that the water was rising as a result of the continuous, heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the Creeks.

The Minister said the assessments will continue to determine the impact of the situation and the necessary assistance government can provide.

So far, most of the Regions’ drainage systems are coping with the excess rainfall. However, there has been some amount of accumulation in low-lying areas.

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Regional health officers give progress report, discuss disaster management

Georgetown GINA, June 14, 2006

Health Officers and Programme Heads from across the country today reported on the various initiatives undertaken to improve the delivery of health care services.

The Regional Health Officers meeting is a bi-annual event held by the Ministry of Health to allow officers to report on successes and shortcomings of health care delivery.

Today’s discussions and presentations at the Demerara Mutual Life building were focused on the Health Ministry’s disaster preparedness and management.

Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy expressed his gratitude to the Regional Health Officials for their efforts and persistence in delivering health care, often under difficult conditions.

He acknowledged the problem of staff inadequacies over the years but explained that this is sometimes caused by some health care providers who may be performing unsatisfactorily.

Minister Ramsammy however, reassured that measures are in place to train more health care providers.

Head of the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Tom Olsen made his first public address in Guyana during the regional health meeting and pledged continued support to the Ministry of Health as its frontline worker.

Presentations were also made by Dr. Hedwig Geode, Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation, (PAHO), who lauded the efforts of the Regional Health Officers and other health care providers, for their performance during the 2005 floods.

Dr. Geode pledged continued support to the Ministry of Health in assisting in the Ministry’s quest to build capacity and counter disaster management.

The workshop will conclude on June 15 with more discussions on disaster management and malaria control.

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Guyana / Russia relations lauded at Russia Day celebrations

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

The symbiotic relationship which binds Guyana and Russia has been significantly advanced over 36 years with the intensification of social, political and economic ties.

This sentiment was reiterated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally at a reception held to celebrate Russia’s 16 th Independence Anniversary on June 12 at the Russian Embassy.

The holiday, which is usually observed on June 12, commemorates the Proclamation of Sovereignty to the State of Russia in 1990, which was lead by the State’s first President Boris Yeltsin.

In 1998, ‘Independence Day’ as it was called, was renamed ‘National day of Russia’ by President, Vladimir Putin, who defined it as a "Holiday of National unity.''

Minister Insanally and Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Vladimir Straikov toasted to the good health of Presidents Jagdeo and Putin, the prosperity of Guyanese and Russian people and the strengthening of relations.

Minister Insanally while addressing the social gathering said, “It is clear that Guyana/Russia relations have flourished because they are founded on many shared values and mutual respect. …We have committed ourselves to multilateralism as the basis of international relations and to the implementation of the agendas for peace and development.

Minister Insanally highlighted that Guyana too, recently celebrated 40 years of Independence from a century and a half of British colonial rule.

“In looking back on the progress we have made over the past four decades, we can point with justifiable pride to our achievements in promoting the national good and providing our citizens with opportunities to further improve their lives. Not only have we sought to consolidate democracy and good governance as the basis of sustainable development but we have also opened new paths toward economic and social progress,” he told the gathering.

Ambassador Straikov also lauded the thriving relations . “Dear friends, Russian-Guyanese bilateral cooperation is developing successfully. I can judge it myself because for the fourth year I have been a direct witness and participant of this important process. Bilateral political dialogue is maintained. Legal basis for our relations has been strengthened.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister noted Guyana’s long and tumultuous journey as a small state. “As a small state, we have had to face frequent adversity in the struggle for economic and social progress. To be successful, however, our endeavour will require the wholehearted involvement and cooperation of all our people… It will also require the solid support of the international community.”

In this regard Minister Insanally acknowledged the contribution of the Russian Federation in debt relief, flood assistance, specialised youth training and technical cooperation in several vital areas.

Ambassador Straikov noted that with recent trends the economic cooperation between his country and Guyana is marked with a new face citing the example of the Aroaima Mining Company which has been privatised with the participation of the Russian Aluminum Company (RUSAL).

Ambassador Straikov reiterated his country’s willingness to assist Guyana in strengthening national unity and solving problems.

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Government concludes negotiations of US$20M pact for Police Force

• President Jagdeo announces at Queen’s birthday reception

Georgetown, GINA, June 14, 2006

In wake of escalating and sophisticated crime, which has been challenging the Caribbean, government is seeking external funding to boost the capabilities of the Guyana Police Force and it is in this context that a US$20M loan is being negotiated with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

At a reception to mark the birthday of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, President Jagdeo disclosed that “We have just also concluded the negotiations with the Inter-American Development Bank for a US$20M facility to upgrade the capabilities of the Police Force.”

The Head of State said that the spread of violent crime and narco-trafficking in the Caribbean has placed development in jeopardy, since a small developing country like Guyana cannot afford the financial and other resources to effectively combat these problems on its own.

“The slaying of Minister (Satyadeow) Sawh and the brutal murders at Agricola and Eccles which claimed several lives are examples of the blatant disregard for the sanctity of lives. We must act together as civilized and concerned Guyanese, with the support of the international community to bring an end to this criminality,” President Jagdeo said.

The President noted that the security forces would now need to devote all their energies to identify and capture the perpetrators of these murders and the drug dealers.

“The government remains committed to fighting the evil in our midst by boosting the strength of the Joint Services,” the President reiterated.

On this note he expressed appreciation to the reception’s host British High Commissioner Stephen Hiscock for the United Kingdom’s assistance in the area of capacity building.

“And we have requested further support for the Police Force. We anticipate a positive response,” President Jagdeo indicated.

The Queen was born on April 21, 1926 in London. Although she turned 80 on April 21, public celebrations of the British monarch's birthday are always held in June.

Her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain on the third Saturday of June each year. Queen Elizabeth Il is a 'constitutional monarch'. This means that although she is officially the head of the State, the country is actually run by the government, led by the Minister. The Queen lives at Buckingham Palace.

President Jagdeo extended wishes of continued good health, and happiness to Her Majesty the Queen, to the prosperity of the people of the United Kingdom (UK) and to the continued and friendly relations between Guyana and the UK.

President Jagdeo lauded the support of the British Government, its volunteers and the people for their help in several areas of development.

The reception also marks the farewell of the British High Commissioner whose term has ended. President Jagdeo hailed his contribution to Guyana in improving the relations between Guyana and the UK.

Among other benefits that Guyana enjoys from relations with the UK is a 100 percent debt relief since 1989 valued at £150 M. Over the last two years, Guyana benefited from debt relief from the UK amounting to £16 M.

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