GEORGETOWN, Guyana:

The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) have joined government ministries in the withdrawal of advertisements from the Stabroek News, according to reports.

Efforts made for the past five days to obtain confirmation and an explanation for this decision from Ronald Alli, the chairman of both companies, have proved futile.

With reference to the withdrawal of the Guysuco advertisement, Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief, David de Caires, said that he wrote the chairman of the board of directors, Ronald Alli, on January 31 as follows: "Our advertising manager was shocked to be told this morning by someone in your communications department with whom we deal on the question of advertisements that no further ads will be received from your corporation by the Stabroek News and all your advertisements will be given to the Chronicle and Kaieteur News."

Alli called that evening to confirm he was not aware of any such decision and it had not been approved by him or his board. He promised to investigate the situation and call the next day. He did not call.

Mr. de Caires sent a second letter to Mr. Alli on February 2. "I must say that I am disappointed at your failure to call as promised. We have now been told that the advertisements of Guyana Power and Light, of which you are also chairman, have also been withdrawn. I suspect you knew nothing of this as well as what appears to be the case is that direct instructions are being given to persons in these corporations who handle advertisements from persons outside of the corporation."

Mr. Alli said that he needed time to investigate. He is yet to respond. Yesterday, Mr. de Caires said that it was clear that there was an all-out politically directed effort to suppress the newspaper.