Since the public invitation by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to the PPP for talks leading to a government of national unity, varying opinions have been expressed by several commentators on the issue, including Henry Jeffrey (SN September 16), Tacuma Ogunseye (KN, September 19) and Anil Nandlall (SN, September 19). Jeffrey called for clarity of intention from the coalition, Ogunseye expressed the view that the PPP believes it will win the next elections and that Jagdeo sees himself as president, and for those reasons will not agree to a national unity government. Nandlall called for a ‘peaceful atmosphere’ to be first established before any talks can take place.
There were times in the history of the PPP when the national interest took precedence. In August 1975 the PPP offered ‘critical support’ to the PNC government. At that time the PPP perceived that government was moving in an ‘anti-imperialist’ direction. It had embarked on a policy of nationalization of foreign owned industries and was perceived to come or likely