Newly accredited United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway has called on both Guyana and Venezuela to respect the 1899 Tribunal Award which settled the decades-old controversy over the Essequibo. “The land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was decided by an arbitral award in 1899, that’s a fact and duly implemented by both parties. It was only several decades later that Venezuela decided its intention to challenge the validity of that award on the land boundary,” Holloway told a news conference at his Duke Street Kingston office on Monday. Speaking at his first press briefing since being accredited Holloway said that it is important that both countries respect the 1899 Award and settle all issues arises therefrom via diplomacy. “We call on all parties to continue to respect the 1899 arbitral award ruling and boundary unless or until a competent legal body decides otherwise or both parties agree on something else”, The US Ambassador told reporters.
Ambassador Holloway added that the settled issue between the two South American countries is “a fact and was duly implemented by both parties.” He said the US government is pleased that Presidents David Granger and Nicolas Maduro met at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly under the stewardship of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
He noted that both countries should continue to address the border controversy on the diplomatic front “through peaceful means and consistent with International Law.” “It is important that all parties, both sides avoid any actions that could complicate the ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic solution,” said the US Ambassador. Asked whether the US would intervene should elements of the border controversy become heated, Ambassador Holloway said the circumstances would dictate the action of the US.
“What I would say is an accurate position for the US is firstly, we encourage both sides to do two things, try to address the boundary controversy through diplomatic means and to not do anything that can sort of raise the concerns of one side or the other. That is our position. As far as do we intervene …each situation is different and circumstances that may bring about a situation in that particular moment in time is different. So everything is evaluated on a case by case basis. Right now our focus is on peaceful resolution, continued dialogue and respect for international law,” he added.
Meanwhile, the US Diplomat acknowledged that the resurfacing of the Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo came following US Oil Giant Exxon Mobile discovered significant amounts of oil offshore and noted that the US government is concerned about the border controversy and the oil company that has found itself in the middle of the clash. He noted that border disputes that have existed for centuries are best resolved through “peaceful means, through diplomatic dialogue and respect for international law.”
At the same time, Ambassador Holloway said, the US has a policy of “ensuring that US companies are protected under international law or under a law of a given country where they are operating in.”
He added, “We do expect our US companies to comply with international law and norms. I don’t think whether it was a US company or a Chinese company it would dramatically change our view on the current dispute going on.” Holloway who has been residing in Guyana for the past 10 days presented his Letters of Credence to President Granger last week and has since been working to schedule a meeting with the Guyanese leader given their discussions last week were “very brief”.
Over the past few weeks, the Guyana government has lobbied the International community for support on the border controversy. The call by the government has been favourable as many heads of state have pledged their support to Guyana on the issue. Guyana has maintained that it is the legal and rightful owner of the Essequibo and that Venezuela’s claim to that Region is null and void.
Photo by Delano Williams: Saved as US Ambassador and US Ambassador 1
Photo caption: US Ambassador Perry Holloway speaks to the media on Monday at his first media briefing held at the US Embassy Georgetown.

By Ariana Gordon