GUYANA'S RULING PARTY DETERMINES POWERFUL

C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000453

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2018
TAGS: PGOV GY EAID EAGR
SUBJECT: GUYANA'S RULING PARTY DETERMINES POWERFUL
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Classified By: CDA WILLIAMS for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: A low-ranking minister finished a
surprisingly high third in party elections as the ruling
People's Progressive Party (PPP) held its final congress
before the 2011 presidential election. Party delegates
selected the 35-person Central Committee that will determine
the 18-member Executive Committee that in turn decides the
party's nominee and defines its agenda. In his address to
the PPP, President Jagdeo again criticized the media for
perceived unfair coverage and reiterated his call for the
international community to compensate Guyana for the
contribution its rainforests make in the fight against
climate change. End Summary.


2. (U) The ruling People's Progressive Party (PPP) held its
final Congress before the 2011 presidential elections August
2-3. The 1020 delegates in attendance voted 35 party members
onto the new Central Committee, whose primary task is to
elect the 18-member Executive Committee in the coming weeks.
The Executive Committee will set the party's agenda and
ultimately select the PPP's candidate.


3. (SBU) Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Frank
Anthony finished an unexpectedly high third in the balloting
behind President Jagdeo and former president Janet Jagan, and
was one of only five elected to serve for the first time on
the committee. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud,
believed to be President Jagdeo's favored successor, finished
9th. Committee elections take place every three years.


4. (U) In his address, President Jagdeo criticized media for
highlighting issues that show the government in a negative
light without providing context for the GoG's actions.
Jagdeo identified the financing of infrastructure projects
such as the repairing of Guyana's sea defenses as challenges
for the future. He again pushed the idea that any
international agreements succeeding the Kyoto protocol should
compensate Guyana for the carbon offsetting its rainforests
provide and suggested Guyana's forests are worth hundreds of
millions of dollars annually.


5. (C) Comment: The unexpected third place finish of Frank
Anthony, who maintains a low-public profile, and the
relatively weak finish of Robert Persaud, who is arguably the
Minister most visible in the press, may signify that the
Agriculture Minister's support in the party is not as deep as
previously thought. It remains to be seen if Anthony, who
few considered a power player in intra-party politics,
leverages his popularity within the party for a more
substantive and powerful portfolio. For the moment, Persaud
appears to have the inside track on the nomination provided
he does not fall out of favor with Jagdeo. Jagdeo's
criticism of the media is part of a sustained government
effort to battle media criticism by making counter
accusations of bias. End comment.
Williams