The PNCR leadership will not take part in any State-sponsored or ceremonial event for Carifesta X so as to ensure that no credibility or legitimacy is lent to the present activities of the PPP/C administration, the party said in a release issued yesterday. The party said that having reviewed the current situation in Guyana, it has seen no reason to change its position on Carifesta X as outlined in its press statement of April 24, 2008 and subsequent statements on May 23, June 20 and July 4, 2008.
However, the PNCR extended a welcome to all artistes from the Caribbean and the diaspora and wished them a pleasant stay in “our beautiful country. You can be assured of our traditional Guyanese hospitality even in circumstances where the Jagdeo (administration) refuses to respect the human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.”
Reiterating its concerns made in April that the political, economic and social environment was not conducive to the hosting of the regional cultural extravaganza, the party said that, “Any decent government should find no difficulty in creating the appropriate environment if, indeed, they are anxious to highlight Guyana to the Caribbean and the world.” Based on the concerns raised in April 2008, the party called for an immediate end to the suspension of the licence of CNS TV Channel 6; an end to the violation of the human rights of Guyanese; the release of former army officer Oliver Hinckson incarcerated on “unsustainable charges”; an immediate short term programme to address the impact of the rising cost of living; real progress in addressing the deteriorating security situation; enactment of broadcast legislation to end political control over the media and to establish an independent national broadcasting authority; equitable access by the parliamentary opposition parties to the state-owned media; and, an end to the monopoly on radio.
At the time the party said that the government had more than ample time to address these matters so that the appropriate environment can be created for the holding of this event.
Stating that the PNCR would remain resolute until the government satisfactorily addresses the issues of concerns so that Carifesta X was held in an environment in which the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to work was respected by the government, the PNCR said that “Regrettably, instead of addressing those concerns, the Jagdeo regime expended millions more than their original secret budgetary allocation of $500M on a massive publicity and PR (public relations) campaign to market the event.”
The release reiterated that the Jagdeo administration, without any prior consultation with other local stakeholders, including the opposition political parties, unilaterally proceeded with the hosting of Carifesta X without addressing the major concerns of the majority of Guyanese.
As the party feels that the government has no intention of addressing the issues of equitable access to state media, broadcast legislation, the state radio monopoly and the issue of good governance, the PNCR said that the PNCR leadership will not participate in any state sponsored event for Carifesta X.
The first Carifesta, the party said Guyana proudly and successfully hosted under the PNC administration led by Forbes Burnham.
The event was created to celebrate, display and promote Caribbean culture and as such the PNCR said it has a vested interest to ensure that the event was not misused by the government or that it takes place in an environment in which the cultural aspects were not tainted by dictatorial policies of the current administration.
No surprise here. Exactly what we can expect from the PNCR and it’s leaders. The PNCR has NEVER been for the best interest of the people since the days of the PNC. What has the PNC reformed to to prove they have “Reformed”?
Every single demand made by the PNCR as conditions for their participation in Carifesta X is rediculous. Why should we release Oliver Hinckson who is charged with very serious crimes?
The PNC interprets charging a person of a crime and releasing or sentencing them is based on the whims and fancies of the ruling party’s leadership like how it was during the Burnham PNC error. No, not in this time, the days of “Comrades” are over, done, finito, no mas.
What human rights violations do we have now? During the PNC reign of terror, who complained, which human rights organisation could dare enter Guyana to investigate any accusations against the PNC? Now there is freedom and any arrest is deemed by the PNCR as harrassment and creating a huge crowd in front the courts to protest the “innocence” of these (PNCR) criminals.
The event is for the people of Guyana to showcase what we can do and who we are. We don’t care for Corbin and the PNCR’s leaders’ participation, we can do without them, the people of Guyana from all walks of life, creed, color, race, party and potential will attend and participate.
Good luck Guyana and all the best from the launching to closing of Carifesta X.
mackypuppy tell the bloggers what serious crimes mr. hinckson commit. banna
wipe the cold out your eyes.
Mackydog asked, “Why should we release Oliver Hinckson who is charged with very serious crimes?”
I am no PNC supporter, but what serious crimes did Oliver Hinckson commit? Don’t say sedition or terrorism; please specifically state what he did or what he said that qualified for sedition and terrorism.
It is the same thing with the Gordon Moseley case. No one has ever pointed out what it was that Moseley wrote in his letter to counter concerns leveled at him by Jagdeo; no one has ever specifically stated what he wrote that qualifies as being disrespectful of the President.
In both cases, the government is unhappy with the men and decided to show the unhappiness by punishing them, but no PPP sympathiser has ever pointed out the specific words that caused the government’s unhappiness.
Tit for tat. PPP did the same in 1972. Even encouraged its supporters not to be involved. What goes around comes around..
I don’t think that either political parties should use this event to score or under score each other however for you to imply that they are no Human rights violation in Guyana is ridiculous, I guess that is the reason that Guyana is so backwards because some of us Guyanese becomes too emotional and allow the truth dispite it is there staring us in the face turn our backs and that is just what you are doing. I don’t see any major difference in the two major political parties they both feel an entitlement to the leadership of Guyana and it,s people like you who allow them to feel that way,and in the process it stifles the future generationbecause it is somewhat carved out in their minds that is either the PPP or the PNC who has the solutions to the problems when in fact they are both the cause.
i am totally in agrement with the opposition parties, they should not participate
until this regime address the human rights issue the wanton torture and killings
of its citizens by the security forces ,increase in robberies ,misuse of public funds, the roger khan saga all these things should be addressed promptly.
turbo…..shame on you and the pnc…………….when the pnc was doing its wrong thing who was crying fowl most guyanese use to bear up…the pnc had the house of israle people robbing killing raping,,,use them to break strikes …and the list could go on and on…not one day you ever hear about human rights intrervention….they use to control the state media…….we did not had proper roads,,,schools,,,water even food to eat be for real ….
why dont you go and join him on the streets to protest..
Who cares if the PNCR Corbin and others attend or not. This Party is a NEGATIVE Party and has no interest in seeing this country progress. Carifesta X will be a success and this is what the PNCR is afraid of. HOW STUPID
is ok for the boycott of carifesta…thas ok for corbin to do that……corbin is the worse leader the pnc ever had..he need to stop his antics …………we as guyanese need to be strong and stop the fight amongst ourselves…….hope every one do enjoy carifesta………………
you are not a true guyanese, i dont think you read the newspapers of guyana
look how much of your fellow brothers and sisters dying being robb on a daily basis, rape,incest. nothing is bothering this regime things alright in GT.
This is Politics as usual, but I feel that the PNC has missed the Bus on this one. They should have supported Carifesta as the event represents Caribbean Culture as a whole.
If all is not, then all is not well. For too long now we (as Guyanese) are guilty of sweeping things under the rug. This must end now! The PNCR DID THE RIGHT THING, PERIOD!
Corbin will do anything or go as low as he can to get attention! Good luck to Corbin and his supporters!
Mackydog ,Guyana is for all GUYANESE.You cannot marginalise a group and expect them to be on the same dance floor with you.It’s time you Guys stop whining and move fwd. If you cannot treat us as us being a part of a nation then a boy cott is correct.
sheik,
I think , no, I know you misunderstood me. I never marginalised anyone, I specifically mentioned “Corbin and the PNCR leaders”, not the people of the PNCR but its LEADERS…do you read me now? If not read over my blog.
anybody know this corbinn background…
Although there were ample reasons, the PPP did not boycott state-sponsored events in 1972 when the then PNC regime hosted the first Carifesta. Remember that the PNC had rigged the 1968 elections and there was the basic question of legitimacy of the regime. Moreover, at that time, the PNC was carrying out a concerted witch-hunt against PPP activists and supporters, denying them government jobs, kicking them out of the civil service, sending the police to search their homes, arresting and detaining them, intercepting their mail at the then General Post Office, etc. Now, the same PNC in opposition has assumed a self-righteous position regarding the PPP government’s hosting of CarifestaX. They can go to hell. I wish the Carifesta organizers well!
1968 was forty years ago it’s time for you people to stop living in the past, that is the reason Guyana remains the way it is I sometimes feel that Hugo Chavez and the surinamese should make good on their threat and free Guyanese all my life it has just been the nonsence about these two political parties and they continue to have the same effects.
When I read what you older flocks write I remember the story in Bible when God made the Jews wonder for forty years in the wilderness . So all the bad apple can pass away . And that what Guyana needs a breath of fresh air. So it can buried the pass and look towards a brighter FUTURE (ONE PEOPLE ONE NATION ONE DESTINY ).
FAKE GUYANESE AN MADDOG ALL WHAT CORBIN IS SAYING IT WILL NOT TAKE PART IN ANY-STATE SPONSORED OR CEREMONIAL EVENT FOR CARIFESTA X SO AS TO ENSURE THAT NO CREDIBILITY OR LEGITIMACY IS LENT TO THE PRESENT ACTIVITIES OF THE PPP/C ADMINISTRATION.I WOUNDER WHEN U GUY ARE LEAVING NEWYORK TO TAKE PART IN CARIFESTA?
200% in agreement. I couldnt agreed with you more by asking them that, thtey arent going and is there favourite Party in control. I have heard of all these murders, robberies persons being discrimnated in PNC time.
Mackydog, Guyana is for all GUYANESE.You cannot marginalise a segment of the population and expect them to be on the same dance floor wth you.You Guys should stop whining and move fwd.If the administration’s policies are discriminatory driven,then a boycott is the way fwd.