Responding to reports on the prospects of political dialogue, the PPP today said that there was no agreement yet with APNU+AFC on any engagement.
A portion of a PPP release issued today follows:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted the ongoing views being bandied about in connection with the proposed ‘National Unity’ talks between the PPP and the APNU+AFC beginning with a statement by Granger to the effect that his government “remains committed to inclusionary democracy and is prepared to consider executive power sharing with the opposition PPP”. And ending with Harmon suggesting that the PPP should submit a written response and not engage in a battle of words in the press”.
Harmon went on to lecture that “A responsible political party would write the government expressing its concerns on the composition of the team”.
Mr. Harmon spoke as though there is already agreement between the two sides to engage formally and that the process should begin with an exchange of correspondence on the modalities for talks when there is none.
For Mr. Harmon’s information and guidance there is no such agreement. The PPP has not received any formal communication on the matter nor are we requesting any.
Actually, there is much confusion in the APNU+AFC camp in this matter and it seems best that the alliance settle their internal differences and put their house in order before any attempt is made to engage the PPP.
Moreover, a prominent APNU+AFC intellectual in ‘hindsight’ called for a cooling out period of two to three years before any such an engagement is contemplated.
Another, ruminating at his “Conversation Tree” desperately called for a ‘full-blown’ public campaign targeting both PPP and APNU+AFC supporters.”
Compounding the issue is the ongoing public campaign of vilification, demonizing and criminalizing the PPP, its members and supporters.
The PPP’s claims in this respect ought not to be undervalued or under-estimated. A groundswell reflecting these concerns is building up slowly but surely. And as the APNU+AFC government becomes more unpopular it will tumble and fall.
Already, the rice farmers are fully mobilized and angry; mounting protests across the coastland. We have not seen the end to their struggles for justice and a descent livelihood.
Next will be the sugar workers whose industry is on the chopping block. Another potential battle by sugar workers against impending privatization and sale of the industry is looming on the industrial front.
The signs are all there.
Mr. Granger harking back to his old intelligence days in the GDF scented trouble at Linden and scampered off to the disgruntled Linden population whose IMC Chairman had earlier stated publicly that “Government was ignoring Linden”.
Dissatisfaction was expressed that the Minister of Communities had ignored Lindeners’ request for help and since he refused to help they screamed;
“He got to put himself in order or he’s got to dress down”. So it was not Granger the “rock star” who arrived at Linden on the contrary, it was Granger to the rescue of Bulkan who had proven himself incompetent and unresponsive once again. All Lindeners got was a promise from the ‘rock star’ that he would return in October with Xmas goodies. Let’s wait and see how Linden will be made to rock. Further, it would be interesting to learn the views of Lindeners on the “unity talks” versus their bread and butter issues.
