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.
