President briefs Diplomatic Community on Linden situation

Georgetown, GINA, July 21, 2012 -- Source

President Donald Ramotar this morning met with the entire Diplomatic Community in Guyana, including developmental agencies and their Heads in order to brief them on developments in relation to Linden, and efforts by the Government regarding the issues that transpired and are still transpiring there.

Advisor to the President of Governance Ms. Gail Teixeira in an update to the Government Information Agency stated that President Ramotar informed the Diplomatic Community about the meetings with the Opposition parties and the business investors in Linden. He also reiterated his commitment to have an independent Commission of Inquiry, which the Government had committed to since the night of July 18, 2012.

President Donald Ramotar and other Government Officials today met with members of the Diplomatic Community in Guyana and Heads of Developmental agencies to update them on the Linden situation

Lindeners began a five- day protest against the implementation of increased electricity tariff for the town, despite having to pay less than what other consumers on the national grid pay.

Ms. Teixeira said President Ramotar also, “informed them that today, two representatives from the parties, the APNU and the Government, will be meeting to go through the Terms of Reference for the independent commission.” She added that the Head of State wants the Commission to be up and running as quickly as possible.

The Presidential Advisor reported that the diplomats questioned the President on a number of issues to which he responded and reiterated his anxiety for the Linden community to return to normalcy so that discussions on the tariffs and other issues could proceed.

He explained to the diplomats that at the July 19 meeting with the business community from Linden, APNU/AFC, the RDC Chairman and the geographic MP for Linden, he had raised the issue to begin discussing the tariff issues. Teixeira said, “They both clearly stated that they had not come to discuss the tariff increases with the President, they were coming to discuss the security issues and that was the only thing they wished to discuss.”

Ms. Teixeira said the President reiterated to the diplomats and the Heads of Development Agencies and made it clear “that we are prepared to talk about the tariff increases, and that we want the situation settled but, we also need to find a situation where Linden has to come on board in terms of the electricity rates. It is not a case where there is no increase at all,” she said.

At a press conference on Friday evening, President Ramotar stated that his Administration is open to further discussion on the electricity tariff increase.

Referring to the political parties, in particular APNU and other persons ‘who say they are representing Linden, and  who may not be Lindeners, they need to get the situation under control so that normalcy can be returned,’ was something the President pointed out to the diplomats Teixeira stated.

While there are also concerns about the investment climate in the Region, Teixeira said the diplomats were happy that they were called and, explained that due to the rapidly developing situation, the President had waited until today to be able to meet with them.

Misinformation and threats posted on social networking sites also came under discussion at the meeting.

Lindeners have burnt several buildings, vehicles, and blocked roads into and out of the town since the protest began on Wednesday. During clashes with police that same day, three persons were killed and several others injured.