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BCP secretary general Taolo Lucas said efforts to develop a well-detailed and comprehensive programme for the negotiations has opened a historic chapter which may advance into a new democratic dispensation for the success of a united opposition. The BCP acknowledge that the future of a united opposition depends on strict adherence to the guiding principles that have been agreed by the negotiating partners. During a recent BCP meeting in Selebi-Phikwe, members regretted the incidences of misguided outbursts by some individuals which have recently appeared in the press. They noted that such incidences tarnishes the image of negotiating partners as they belittle the integrity and credibility of the opposition cooperation initiative. The central committee pledged massive support for the Memorandum of Understanding on by-elections. It said the BCP would honour all protocols and declarations of the Memorandum of Understanding. It appealed to the party members to support all operational activities of their cooperation partner Botswana National Front in the upcoming Dutlwe /Tshwaane by-elections on June 10. The committee endorsed names that will constitute the party disciplinary committee and appeals body. It endorsed a revised nation-wide central committee tour schedule and the national organising tour schedule for the southern and northern constituencies. During the tours, members of the central and organising committee are expected to hold in-house meetings to brief the membership on a variety of issues. These include the progress of opposition cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding on by-elections and special status membership of NDF. The committee endorsed a report on the official opening of a regional party office in Francistown that will serve the north. The office will be under the direct supervision of the party secretariat and build and consolidate party structures in the region. The office is expected to become fully operational by the end of the month. Lucas said the office is part of efforts to strengthen the regional monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of campaigns and recruitment activities in the localities as well as to roll out the Party Training Development Programme. The programme is wholly funded by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. It is designed to enhance the mass character of the BCP and help party cadres to adapt to the political demands, mobilise people and to place the organisation at the head of whatever challenge it faces. Lucas said the programme will strengthen the recruitment drive of quality members into the party and teach them sound and well defined party policies. "The new recruits have to be orientated in such a way that they are capable of participating meaningfully in the formulation of party policies and effectively present them in public gatherings." As part of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Project, BCP will hold an executive training workshop on May 26-27 for the general party membership on party ethics, code of conduct and intra-party discipline, democracy and good governance. Meanwhile, the BCP central committee deliberated on the findings of the preliminary report of the party commission on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) relocations. The commission was meant to determine the controversy surrounding the relocation process so that the party can have an informed position that can act as a guiding principle for policy formulation. It was chaired by the party vice president Kesitegile Gobotswang. It recommended that the central committee should visit the reserve to have an overview of the settlement conditions, consult with the political leadership, community leaders and organisations with a view to reach a consensus around the CKGR issue. Lucas said BCP believes that immediate interventions are desirable to resolve the impasse over the Basarwa issue.
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