The Guyana government Friday night said it remained open to talks with representatives of Region 10 but noted that so far the promised Economic Proposals have not been submitted to the Office of the President.

“Government remains committed to dialogue but, cannot and will not accommodate the willful rejection of the rule of law,” the Office of the President said in a statement.

They should have met again at 3 PM Friday but, according to Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon, the government point-person called saying that the talks would be held at a future date and time to be determined.

Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, however, noted that up to Friday the Region 10 delegation had not presented any Economic Proposals.

“The Region 10 delegation as of today, have not presented any proposals and therefore were delaying any discussion on what they said was the 3rd issue that had to be resolved. Each time they have said they are not ready,” she said on the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN). The opposition wants government to do more to help stimulate business activity and create jobs for Lindeners.

The two sides have held almost 20 days of talks during the 23 days of protest that have seen key roads and bridges being blocked and cutting off critical fuel, food and other supplies to Regions 7,8 and 9.

Security forces, however, reported they were Friday making progress in taking control and holding those thoroughfares in Mackenzie.

President Donald Ramotar’s office again appealed to protestors to “become part of and support the move to have the blockade in Linden removed.”

Government blamed two privately-owned Online media entities – Benschop Radio and the independent Demerara Waves- for fomenting the upsurge on August 9. “Later that night, Demerara Waves falsely informed Lindeners that the soldiers had seized control of the bridges, cleared the roads in Linden thereby disrupting and threatening the talks. The facts are that soldiers did no such thing, not having entered Linden,” said government.

Government buildings housing the offices of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, Linden Electricity Company Incorporated and the Linden Care Foundation were burnt down. No one was injured.

Expressing “utter dismay” at the events of August 10 in Linden, the Office of the President felt that August 8 agreement and initialing of the Terms of Reference  by both parties “signaled a great sense of progress in the search for resolution of the issues associated with the Linden protests.”

The Office of the President noted that government was not unmindful of the complicated situation on the ground where representatives of the Opposition political parties and the negotiators themselves were sending mixed signals to the community.

“The fact that a TOR was signed testified to the compromises of the Government in this matter,” Ramotar’s office added.

Government accused the Opposition and Region 10 delegation of giving lip-service to the need for a peaceful solution while using the blockage of the road corridor that “they exploited to the disadvantage of all.” “Claiming to be peaceful, their very acts were destroying the livelihood of many and were occurring in total disrespect of the law,” Office of the President added.

Predictably, the protesters were riled up, mobilised immediately and began a period of uncontrolled mob rule. Fortunately lives were not lost but the destruction of property and livelihoods was significant.

The President’s Office warned the Region 10 and Opposition negotiators and their mentors about “their questionable control of the situation in Linden” and pointed out that “extremists have seized a very prominent role in manning the front line of the protests.”