The PNCR is confused

Sep 19, 2008 Features / Columnists

One of the talking points in recent times has been the need for shared governance and an administrative relationship between the government and the main opposition party since they represent the bulk of the population.
Numerous attempts dating back to the tenure of the Forbes Burnham administration failed because the parties could not agree on a formula. Since those days, there has been some forward movement, then in short order these stalled.
The main opposition party more recently has been accusing the PPP of negotiating in bad faith and of reneging on decisions taken. This time there seems to be the opposite and no one can blame the government for this most recent development.
When the government took its concerns over the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union the main opposition party, the People’s National Congress Reform, understood the situation and openly supported the government’s position. At a consultation the chairman of that party, Winston Murray, offered a number of statements in support of the government position, going as far as to support the proposed goods-only agreement.
Recognising the importance of the need for the government to protect the people of this country from exploitation and to secure their interests, the PNCR even called on the regional leaders to recognize Guyana’s position, especially since this country has the most to lose in the event that Guyana signs the agreement as it is.
The government was most appreciative of this support and publicly commended the PNCR. President Bharrat Jagdeo openly offered his appreciation and his compliments to the PNCR and the appreciation came from the depths of his heart. As he said, he publicly criticized the PNCR for the stance it took on Carifesta so with the same haste he was public with his appreciation.
The evidence now seems to point to a split in the ranks of the PNCR because the party has adopted a position far removed from what the party chairman adumbrated at the consultation. It is unimaginable that the party could now state a position in one minute and reverse that position the next.
What the party is saying at this time is in direct opposition to what Chairman Murray adumbrated. The EPA support provided a glorious opportunity for the two parties to make another move toward meaningful consultation and participation in the administration of the country.
This reversal now is not only mind-boggling but also surprising, since the party seems to be sending a message that the Caricom leaders may be right in demanding that the regional grouping signs the Economic Partnership Agreement. How could this be when the very PNCR challenged colonialism in all its forms?
The PNCR, like the government, knows that the gains being seen now were not easy to come by and that the colonial days were never in the best interest of the people of Guyana. For the very party to support a return to colonialism is not only astonishing but stupid.
It now seems as if the PNCR does not have a fixed position on any issue other than to oppose and blame the government. This position is most untenable at a time when the country needs the support of every individual and political party. It suggests that the PNCR does not have an agenda for national development.
To say that the government is disappointed at this time would be an understatement. It is stunned, because the PNCR has lost a glorious opportunity to demonstrate to the people of this country that it needs to be involved in meaningful shared government. It is telling the people that it cannot hold a fixed position.
Perhaps Chairman Murray should come out and make a public statement about his stated position and the new position adopted by his party. He must state whether he has been toppled because at this time he is the head of the party since the leader is out of the country.
Mr Murray must also divorce himself from this apparent new position adopted by his party because if, by chance, some pressure is brought to bear on the government to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement as it is and the people of this country suffer, then neither he nor his party should blame the government.

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The PNCR is confused

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