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-APA cannot speak for all indigenous peopleGovernment’s Office of Climate Change (OCC), in response to a highly critical statement by an indigenous people’s group on Tuesday on the LCDS consultations, says that it is surprised and disappointed over what “appears to be a carefully timed release” of what can only be described as malicious misrepresentations and distortions.OCC, part of the Office of the President, said that following the publication of the group’s statements in the Kaieteur News of Wednesday and another daily, it is of the view that there has been a deliberate attempt to mislead the Guyanese public on matters relating to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and REDD+ activities.The statement was issued after a workshop on ‘Indigenous Peoples Rights, Extractive Industries and National Development Policies in Guyana’ in which the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) was a major player.“The OCC is of the view that, as is evident from the articles, there has been a deliberate attempt to mislead the Guyanese public on matters relating to the LCDS and REDD+ activities. It is therefore important to reiterate that the LCDS and REDD-plus processes have demonstrated openness, transparency, accountability, availability of information and public participation.”Particularly inaccurate and appalling is the fact that the articles report that Indigenous People’s rights with respect to land rights and the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) are not respected in Guyana, OCC said.“This assertion is furthest from the truth. There are democratic institutions in operation in Guyana to ensure that Amerindian rights are respected and particular the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. In addition, the rights of Guyana’s Amerindians are enshrined in the Amerindian Act of 2006.”According to OCC, the Guyana Government, to ensure the openness and transparency of the LCDS stakeholder consultation process and ensure full participation of all, had established a Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSCC) with representation from a wide-cross section of society.“Amerindian non-governmental organizations, including the APA, were invited to be part of the MSSC.  All joined this noble initiative, except the APA, who declined. All of the other Amerindian NGOs that are part of the Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee and have actively participated in countrywide meetings and consultations,” the statement said.APA not representativeThe office also “categorically” reiterated that the APA and “some chosen community representatives cannot purport to be more representative of Guyana’s indigenous peoples than the National Toshaos Council (NTC) whose members are elected in an open and democratic process.”This council has been an integral part of the LCDS process from the beginning. The LCDS sensitization, education and consultation process was designed and implemented in accordance with international best practice.“From the onset,Cheap Jerseys China, a Conceptual Process Framework was prepared and approved by the MSSC as a guide to the process and followed nine key principles: transparency, inclusivity, information, timeliness, representation, flexibility, clarity, accountability and continuity.”OCC said that an independent international NGO, the London-based International Institute for Environmental Development (IIED), provided monitoring of the entire stakeholder engagement process of the LCDS and concluded that the “the LCDS has established the principle of FPIC as the standard for Amerindian communities…”OCC pointed out that the full IIED report is available on the LCDS web site as are all reports and documents pertaining to the LCDS process.Transparent“Further, the World Bank during its due diligence mission in October 2009, commended Guyana for its open, transparent and intensive consultations and other approaches centred on the LCDS.With respect to the second draft of the LCDS, the OCC wishes to state that all responses from the stakeholder engagements were analysed by the MSSC, and on the basis of that analysis, the second draft of the LCDS was prepared.”This second draft LCDS has been in the public domain since December 10, 2009 for review.“It is interesting to note that the alleged statement by indigenous leaders calls for establishment of satellite telecommunications and internet facilities in hinterland villages, and at the same time speaks against the LCDS which calls for the use of REDD Plus funds for development of Information Technology for our hinterland communities.”Addressing the statement of APA regarding the (lack of) respect for Amerindian rights, OCC said that government has always stated that titled Amerindian villages have the right to opt in or not to opt in.“If they decide to opt in, they could benefit from direct transfers to their communities. If they decide not to opt in, they would still benefit from the development opportunities available to the rest of the country from the LCDS.  There is absolutely no coercion or compulsion for any Amerindian village to opt into a REDD Plus Scheme.”The statement from OCC yesterday also said that Guyana’s LCDS has achieved widely support and acclamation, not only nationally, but also internationally.