MAJOR DISCOVERY

LUNCHEON FEEL THAT THE GDF IS DISLOYAL TO THE PPP

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Roger Luncheon shared this fear with Ambassador as recently as March 3

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 GEORGETOWN

 Classified By: Ambassador Roland W. Bullen For reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C)

SUMMARY. Members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) met with donors March 8 and 10 to discuss their deep concerns about preparations for Guyana's upcoming elections, the deteriorating security situation, and the disturbing nexus between the two. These Guyanese civil society figures are certain that the two major political parties (the ruling PPP/C and opposition PNC/R) have heavily armed groups at their disposal. The PSC implored the donors to intervene somehow to defuse the situation. The donors demurred, reminding the PSC that it is primarily the Guyanese people's responsibility to resolve the country's political impasse. Separately, Ambassador met March 10 with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Edward Collins, who tried to dispel rumors of a coup plan by expressing his commitment to defending the state. END SUMMARY.

GDF's Loyalty in Doubt; Ambassador Meets with Head of GDF --------------------------------------------- ------------ ¶6. (C) The PSC leaders doubt that the GDF and GPF are "loyal to the state this time". This long-held theory has gained traction in recent weeks. The PPP government has always viewed the predominantly Afro-Guyanese uniformed services warily. Head of the Presidential Secretariat Roger Luncheon shared this fear with Ambassador as recently as March 3 (ref A).