THE shadow cabinet of the main opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has made no definitive decision on the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) proposal for “confidential” talks, even though the entity had held a meeting on Tuesday last.The coalition’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon, told the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview on Wednesday that “the matter is still being considered.”

The AFC recently disclosed that it is prepared to hold talks with APNU on condition that the discussions remain confidential.
“We don’t intend to negotiate an agreement within the public space, and therefore will not be commenting further on this matter until there is a substantive announcement to be made,” AFC General Secretary David Patterson said in a statement.

Patterson disclosed that during an earlier meeting, the AFC had tabled a non-disclosure agreement for APNU to review. “The AFC tabled a non-disclosure agreement for review and signing by the APNU with the clear understanding that on the return of the signed document, the AFC would release to APNU (its) draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would form the template for our negotiations,” Patterson said.

The AFC’s articulated position came on the heels of statements made by APNU Leader Brigadier (Rtd.) David Granger, in which he disclosed that there have to date been no substantial discussions with the AFC.

INDICATIONS OF CONFLICT
Since news of the AFC proposal went public, much commentary has been bandied around. The most recent came from AFC consultant and member Professor Daizal Samad, who told a local daily that the AFC has no plans for a merger with APNU. “There are no such plans for a coalition…we are trying to attract talent from any corner,” Samad said.

Samad’s comments stand in contradictin with disclosures made by the APNU General Secretary, in which he stated that a merger of the two Opposition parties is a possible outcome of the talks being considered.
“A merger could be determined by the conversation we will have,” Harmon had said. “There is a possibility there. I think the Guyanese people will want to see any arrangement that puts the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) out of office.”
All considered, politicos have commented that there is a clear conflict between the parties, particularly considering that, according to Harmon himself, APNU has been in possession of the AFC’s proposal since December last.
Asked about the contradiction and possibility of conflict over the proposal, Harmon said: “The parties (APNU and AFC) have agreed that the only authorities to speak on our positions are the General Secretaries, I or Mr. Patterson.”
Meanwhile, questions still persist as to whether APNU will acquiesce to the AFC proposal.