Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN1019
2006-09-29 20:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:
PARLIAMENT OPENS, ABSENT OPPOSITION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 001019
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM GY
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT OPENS, ABSENT OPPOSITION
REF: GEORGETOWN 974
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID M. ROBINSON FOR REASON 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 001019
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM GY
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT OPENS, ABSENT OPPOSITION
REF: GEORGETOWN 974
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID M. ROBINSON FOR REASON 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Summary: A series of meetings and phone calls
between President Jagdeo and opposition party leaders seemed
to clear a path for the People's National Congress Reform
(PNCR) to attend the opening of Parliament on September 28,
but walk out before Jagdeo's speech. However, an eleventh
hour rebellion by radical elements within the PNCR forced
party leader Robert Corbin into a boycott. With almost all
of her party absent, PNCR Executive Committee member Clarissa
Riehl nonetheless became Deputy Speaker. End Summary.
2. (C) Tuesday saw intense discussions between President
Jagdeo and the leaders of the AFC, PNCR, and Guyana Action
Party-Rise Organize and Rebuild (GAP-ROAR) about how to get
all parties to attend the opening of Parliament on Thursday.
AFC leaders Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman told
EmbOffs that they planned to go into Parliament, and reported
that PNCR leader Robert Corbin also wanted to attend the
opening, but needed a way to save face. On Tuesday the legal
community consensus was that the courts would rule in favor
of the government in the AFC's court challenge on the
constitutionality of Parliament. The legal community was
also predicting a sound wrist slap for Jagdeo, giving Corbin
a way to attend Parliament without seeming to concede the
legal point.
3. (SBU) On Wednesday, Chief Justice Carl Singh ruled, as
expected, that despite the unconstitutional delay, the
President had the legal authority to convene Parliament and
name ministers. The anticipated wrist slap was absent.
4. (SBU) Just before Parliament convened at 2:00pm September
28, Corbin faced a last minute challenge from PNCR hardliners
calling for a boycott. Corbin had reportedly planned to go
into Parliament with his full delegation, staying just long
enough to elect a Deputy Speaker and a Leader of the
Opposition, and walking out before Jagdeo's 3:00pm address.
But with a handful of his members refusing to go in at all,
Corbin had to keep the whole party out in order to avoid
advertising his lack of authority. PNCR member Deborah
Backer was sent in to nominate Clarissa Riehl for Deputy
Speaker before walking out again. Riehl's nomination was
seconded by Prime Minister Hinds and confirmed when no other
candidates were put forward.
5. (SBU) Comment: Corbin wanted to attend the opening of the
National Assembly, and the PPP and the AFC were willing to
help him do it in a face-saving manner. That a few
hardliners could scuttle Corbin's plans and force a walkout
confirms his dwindling power in the party. While political
bickering and legal challenges are sure to continue, the
extensive discussions between party leaders, who share a
cordial social camraderie, and lack of PPP or AFC challenge
to Riehl for Deputy Speaker, signal that the AFC and the PPP
may be willing to help Corbin keep his party together enough
to participate in Parliament.
ROBINSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM GY
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT OPENS, ABSENT OPPOSITION
REF: GEORGETOWN 974
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID M. ROBINSON FOR REASON 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Summary: A series of meetings and phone calls
between President Jagdeo and opposition party leaders seemed
to clear a path for the People's National Congress Reform
(PNCR) to attend the opening of Parliament on September 28,
but walk out before Jagdeo's speech. However, an eleventh
hour rebellion by radical elements within the PNCR forced
party leader Robert Corbin into a boycott. With almost all
of her party absent, PNCR Executive Committee member Clarissa
Riehl nonetheless became Deputy Speaker. End Summary.
2. (C) Tuesday saw intense discussions between President
Jagdeo and the leaders of the AFC, PNCR, and Guyana Action
Party-Rise Organize and Rebuild (GAP-ROAR) about how to get
all parties to attend the opening of Parliament on Thursday.
AFC leaders Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman told
EmbOffs that they planned to go into Parliament, and reported
that PNCR leader Robert Corbin also wanted to attend the
opening, but needed a way to save face. On Tuesday the legal
community consensus was that the courts would rule in favor
of the government in the AFC's court challenge on the
constitutionality of Parliament. The legal community was
also predicting a sound wrist slap for Jagdeo, giving Corbin
a way to attend Parliament without seeming to concede the
legal point.
3. (SBU) On Wednesday, Chief Justice Carl Singh ruled, as
expected, that despite the unconstitutional delay, the
President had the legal authority to convene Parliament and
name ministers. The anticipated wrist slap was absent.
4. (SBU) Just before Parliament convened at 2:00pm September
28, Corbin faced a last minute challenge from PNCR hardliners
calling for a boycott. Corbin had reportedly planned to go
into Parliament with his full delegation, staying just long
enough to elect a Deputy Speaker and a Leader of the
Opposition, and walking out before Jagdeo's 3:00pm address.
But with a handful of his members refusing to go in at all,
Corbin had to keep the whole party out in order to avoid
advertising his lack of authority. PNCR member Deborah
Backer was sent in to nominate Clarissa Riehl for Deputy
Speaker before walking out again. Riehl's nomination was
seconded by Prime Minister Hinds and confirmed when no other
candidates were put forward.
5. (SBU) Comment: Corbin wanted to attend the opening of the
National Assembly, and the PPP and the AFC were willing to
help him do it in a face-saving manner. That a few
hardliners could scuttle Corbin's plans and force a walkout
confirms his dwindling power in the party. While political
bickering and legal challenges are sure to continue, the
extensive discussions between party leaders, who share a
cordial social camraderie, and lack of PPP or AFC challenge
to Riehl for Deputy Speaker, signal that the AFC and the PPP
may be willing to help Corbin keep his party together enough
to participate in Parliament.
ROBINSON