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Preparations in the making for Presidential debates – Dr. Anthony
– To be organized by PSC
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who forms part of the elections campaign team
Dr. Frank Anthony
set up by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has indicated that moves are afoot to ensure a Presidential debate before polling day.
However, rather than it being organized by the PPP’s campaign team as had been the criteria given by President Ramotar, it will be organized by the Private Sector Commission.
Dr. Anthony made this known on Thursday evening during a telephone interview.
When Kaieteur News spoke to President Donald Ramotar about the possibilities of him partaking in a presidential debate some three weeks ago, he had directed the newspaper to Dr. Anthony saying that the final decision is to be made by his campaign team.
However, Dr. Anthony had been unreachable until last night, when he said that the PPP is fully prepared to partake in a debate.
He said that the President has shown no hesitation in participating.
The President had made a declaration that he will not engage in any debate unless it is organized by his campaign team.
President Donald Ramotar
This, Ramotar said, is because he has a bad taste left in his mouth from the last debate held during the 2011 elections. That debate was held at the University of Guyana.
Even before Kaieteur News had spoken to President Ramotar on the issue, Granger had alluded to those very debates. He had said that the debates were organized and all three parties— the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and APNU—had agreed to go through with it.”But by the second round, President Ramotar disappeared and it was only me and (AFC Leader and 2011 Presidential Candidate) Mr. (Khemraj) Ramjattan,” said Granger.
Subsequently, President Ramotar said that his no show at that debate was due to the fact that it was horribly organized.
But even with that said, Ramotar noted that he is not remotely opposed to having debates.
However, he sought to make it clear that the final decision has to be made by his campaign team.
It seems as if the goal post has now been shifted as according to Dr. Anthony, the President will now partake in a debate not organized by his campaign team.
Dr. Anthony said that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has signaled its willingness to organize the
Presidential hopeful, David Granger
debates; and the PPP has agreed.
He added that the PPP is now awaiting word from the Commission as to the next step.
“We are awaiting the rules of the debate…I am thinking that at some point representatives from both teams (APNU+AFC and PPP) will meet with the PSC and we will discuss things in detail, but the PPP’s side is fully prepared, the President said he is prepared, we are ready to do this.”
Brigadier (Rtd.) David Granger has committed to debating President Ramotar “under any circumstance.”
Granger said that he could not care less whether the debate is held at the seawalls or at the Conference Center. “I am fully prepared to go public to put forward the good plans this alliance has in store for Guyanese”.
Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) alliance has indicated that it is looking forward to participating in the debate that is to be organized.
(Abena Rockcliffe)
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