There has got to be a fair and lasting solution to the crisis in Linden

Jul 23, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
There has got to be a fair and lasting solution to the current crisis in Linden. Guyana cannot afford a prolonged state of crisis and both the government and opposition must be committed to the creation of an enabling environment for the long term development of Linden. Against this backdrop I am of the view that all the stakeholders should agree to the following:
(1) That the Minister of Home Affairs be terminated or at least reassigned to another portfolio.
(2) That the demand for the Prime Minister to be removed be dropped and the PM retains his office
(3) That the top three police officers on location on Wednesday evening at Linden be sent on administrative leave with pay immediately until the final report of a Commission of Inquiry.
(4) That a Commission of Inquiry under the joint auspices of the UN/OAS/CARICOM Secretaries General be allocated 90 days from the date of its setting up to submt a report. This should be a full time Commission.
(5) That President Ramotar, Granger and the leader of the AFC pay a joint visit to Linden within 96 hours to meet with the community and relatives of those killed.
(6) That following this visit there be no further public demonstrations in Linden until the Commission of Inquiry completes its work. A GDF presence will be maintained at Linden.
(7) That an international pathologist undertakes the post mortem examinations and that the results be provided exclusively to the Commission of Inquiry whose work will not be the subject of any press coverage until the submission of its report.
(8) That all parties accept the findings/recommendations of the Commission and implement within 48 hours any recommendation with respect to action to be taken against any of the police involved in Wednesday’s shootings including criminal charges, dismissal from service, suspension or reinstatement.
(9) That a Parliamentary Committee be set up to receive at least 6 briefings/updates from the Commission during the course of its 90-day work. There shall be no briefings by the Commission to any other body or individual, including the President and the Leader of the Opposition.
(10) The issue of the rate increase for electricity in Linden shall not be addressed until the completion of the work of the Commission of Inquiry which shall be 90 days with provision for one extension not to exceed 30 days.
This 10 point plan provides, in my view, a basis for a secure and lasting peaceful environment in Linden, at least for the short to medium term.
Wesley Kirton

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