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.
