Four major donors and members of the diplomatic community are urging Guyanese to refrain from any action that could inflame the volatile situation on the East Coast Demerara in the aftermath of the massacre of 11 people by gunmen early yesterday morning.
Noting that emotions were running high, the American and European Union ambassadors and British and Canadian high commissioners also urged a restraint on actions that could undermine recent progress in the development of Guyana.
Reading from a prepared statement at a joint press conference at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara yesterday, British High Commis-sioner Fraser Wheeler said that like all citizens and residents of Guyana, they were appalled at the brutal murder of innocent people including children at Lusignan yesterday.
Expressing deepest sympathies with the families of the victims, they expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the atrocity would be brought to justice quickly.
As friends of Guyana, they said they remained steadfast in their support and were optimistic that the atrocity was a challenge Guyana will overcome.
Asked whether they had been approached for any support in the current situation, Wheeler said not on the particular issue but noted that through the British-supported Security Sector Reform Project, the intelligence and response capacity of the police could be improved in the near future.
He said that under this programme, the purchase of body armour for the police was underway and trainers to aid members of the police force were to be in Guyana next month.
He said they were confident that the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force would respond appropriately.
Meanwhile, the missions have asked their staff and citizens to exercise caution in their outings, particularly in crowds.
