The gang burst into the business place demanding cash and jewellery and then shot the couple dead, reports said.

** NO JUSTIFICATION FOR CRIMINAL VIOLENCE IN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY - US AMBASSADOR STRESSES - UNITED States Ambassador, Mr. Ronald Godard, yesterday said one reason why Guyanese are so frightened by the current crime wave in the country is that the problem is being debated in a particularly acrimonious political environment.

He said that in this environment, criminal violence, normally roundly condemned by all sectors of society, has been treated almost like “a legitimate subject for debate”.

** PRESIDENT WARNS OF LIKELY CONSEQUENCES IF SITUATION CONTINUES - PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has warned of the likely consequences if the current situation in the country is not arrested.

He last week said many of the things happening in Guyana today could lead to a gradual slide into chaos if some trends are not arrested. He said the country must never allow enclaves for criminals, noting that in Jamaica, police and soldiers cannot go into some communities controlled by guns.

TUESDAY
** CANADA JOINS U.S. IN DEPLORING CRIMINAL VIOLENCE HERE - CANADIAN High Commissioner, Mr. Serge Marcoux has joined his American counterpart here, US Ambassador, Mr. Ronald Godard, in deploring criminal violence in a democratic society such as Guyana.

“I fully subscribe to what my colleague the Ambassador of the United States said last Saturday: `There is no justification for criminal violence in a democratic society; just as there is no justification for political violence in a democracy’,” Marcoux said yesterday.

** PRESIDENT REFUTES CLAIMS THAT POLICE CANNOT ARREST CRIMINALS - PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has refuted claims that the Police Force is incapable of arresting criminals and those abetting them in executing criminal activities and hiding from the Force.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said that in an interview with Prime News Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Adam Harris, Mr. Jagdeo said that the Police have been active in exploring links leading to criminals and where possible, arresting criminals.

The majority of overseas Guyanese are fed up with the negative action of the PNC/R. Under the present situation Guyana will soon be like the Middle East.

Another area of concern: only one police was questioned for his phone call. How can the police surround the gunslingers and let them escape?

These bandits know when and where to operate.
overseas Guyanese (ex-prison officer)

Mixed reaction
The letter you published in your edition from me to Andrew Douglas
has generated mixed reaction among people who know me and have contacted me on the issue.

On the one hand there are those who feel that I have glorified Mr. Douglas and made a proposal that if pursued, would provide him and his group certain comforts they don't deserve. I referred my friends to the recent Church of the Nativity stand-off in Bethlehem which was brought to closure through the intervention of mediators who arranged for 13 suspected "terrorists" to be handed over to authorities in certain European countries.

If this can be done in the interest of peace in the Middle East why can't it be done as part of an effort to bring some stability and public safety back to Guyanese society? How do we expect Mr. Douglas and his group to surrender to local police, a section of which has been associated with a number of extra-judicial killings of persons not found guilty of any crimes?

My proposal is aimed at providing some relief to the Guyanese society while at the same time seeking to guarantee the protection of Douglas and his group against human rights and other possible abuses, as well as a fair trial for any alleged crimes, to which they are entitled.

Then, on the other hand, there are those who say I don't understand what's happening in Guyana and I betrayed the 'cause' by suggesting surrender. Well, although I don't reside permanently in Guyana I think I'm there often enough to understand and appreciate what's happening and to offer suggestions that might lead to a negotiated solution of a national crisis.

As for betraying the 'cause' , all Guyanese ought to recognise that no
'cause', no matter how legitimate, can be successfully fought through the killing of innocent persons. Those days are over. Mr. Douglas, as does Mr. Merai need to understand this clearly.

And as for the one person who suggested that Mr. Douglas and his group might target me, I say that's giving me and my simple proposal more weight than we deserve. While Mr. Douglas and his group might not agree with my letter, I doubt whether they would target me for offering them some sound advice.
Wesley Kirton

The criminals must go!
Who must go? The criminals must go! Who must go? The criminals must go!!

Do you know why the PNC and the criminals want to end the lives of the black clothes police? Simply because these are the only kind of police who are serious about law and order. I don't care what negative comments are made about them.

All of a sudden the black clothes are being accused of extra judicial killings, but what about the killings committed by the criminals? Don't we have the right to protest in the streets too? If we could have at least thirty more men to join the black clothes, brothers and sisters I say "AMEN". This is all we need_ more commandos, lots more! I hope the government can grant us this wish. It's not a heavy task. The least we need is thirty more men, all trained overseas.

I think if this could happen, then and only then, Mr. Leon Fraser will rest in peace.
Mickey

Twisting information for selfish gains
The People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) and their members are acting like a bunch of petty children. I say this because every positive developmental action taken by this government, obtains a reaction by the PNC/R in the form of an inconsequential opposed judgement.

They are now on the issue of the appointment of the Commissioner of Police arguing for the Commissioner designate to be appointed to the position immediately.

But the Government has already time and time again answered this question through various sources. The situation is simple and was clearly explained, the man has to undergo further training, which will equip him in the long run of functioning within that position effectively and efficiently. Surely, this is beneficial to this country.

But the PNN/R’s mouthpiece being their usual obnoxious self insist on lamenting over the issue although it has been explained to them and the general population.

As a result, I can only arrive at one conclusion, that is, they are bent on twisting information for their own selfish gains regardless of the harmful effects to society.

On the other hand, I guest they are just trying to function as an opposition party as they should. But they really should try to do so in the right way and place, example, parliament.
ANNE POOLE