High-level British team advising on security strengthening

Tuesday, March 18, 2003


PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and the high-level security team from the UK during their meeting at the Office of the President in Georgetown yesterday

A HIGH-LEVEL security advisory team from the United Kingdom is in Guyana to give assistance in the strengthening of the local security forces, especially the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The team met President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President, Georgetown yesterday to discuss ways in which the British Government can continue its programme of assistance to Guyana and to explore how the two countries can work together, especially in the area of security.

It is understood that the security advisory team came to Guyana at the invitation of the Guyana Government and is scheduled to leave on Friday.

Yesterday's meeting at the Presidential Secretariat lasted some 90 minutes and among those present were Cabinet Secretary and Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon (who accompanied President Jagdeo) and British High Commissioner, Mr. Stephen Hiscock who accompanied the British security advisory team.

Hiscock said the meeting between the British team and the Guyanese Head of State "went very well indeed".

Guyana's judicial and security systems have benefited from much assistance from the UK in the past, and the High Commissioner pledged more help from the British in the future.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) noted that in the past, the UK Government has significantly contributed to building the capacity of the local Police Force.

According to GINA, emphasis continues to be focused on building intelligence, and in this respect several teams from Scotland Yard have visited Guyana to render assistance and train local Policemen and women.

Guyana has been receiving assistance from the UK in several other areas, including debt relief, the criminal justice system, water and sanitation, secondary education and through the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) support programme.

The British Government has also supported Guyana at international fora and institutions, especially at the Multilateral Financial Institutions.

GINA said the British aid to Guyana is based on the Government's commitment to provide a decent standard of living for Guyanese within a climate that is conducive to the promotion of economic growth and the preservation and strengthening of democratic institutions.