AFC – APNU pro-democracy talks to conclude in four weeks – Granger
- Greenidge leads APNU seven-member team in negotiations
As the concerns surrounding the May 11 election date continue to increase, so too do the burning questions and speculations regarding the possible alliance between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). APNU Leader, David Granger, made it clear yesterday that his grouping is in talks with the AFC because it holds strong to the policy of an inclusionary democracy. He said during a press conference at his Hadfield Street Office, that it was only at the time of the AFC’s National Conference where its leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that for the first time that it was willing to have a prodemocracy alliance. He said that APNU was always open to those talks and since then, it has appointed a seven member team. Granger said that the General Secretaries for both parties have been asked to remain in contact to facilitate the smooth process of the discussions. He said that APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, was appointed as the chief negotiator of the “magnificent seven” team. The other members are Basil Williams, Sidney Allicock, Keith Scott, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Dr. George Norton. Asked if APNU would consider giving the leadership post or posts to the AFC which has said that it wants to lead the alliance, Granger said that APNU has empowered its negotiating team to explore all possibilities that would lead to such a coalition. He said that it would be premature to respond to such a matter. Pressed to say if the APNU would be willing to give the presidential or prime ministerial posts to the AFC, Granger said that the matter has not arisen as yet. Questioned whether the slightest possibility existed for that to occur, he said, “It is possible that whatever is raised during the negotiation will be reported to the two sides and a determination will be made.” The APNU Leader told the media that the discussions are expected to conclude within four weeks. He was also asked to say whether he would still be confident in the APNU winning the upcoming election if talks with the AFC don’t turn out to be fruitful. The Opposition Leader said that he believes that it does have the potential to certainly secure a majority win. He later told Kaieteur News that he does not feel however, that on its own it can achieve a landslide victory.
