GUYANA is the new, shining star in the advocacy of the diplomacy of peace in the resolution of conflicts. As regards territorial claims, Guyana’s striding position is that of respect for international law and sanctity of treaty obligations. Wearing this shining arrow of peace and legality, President David Granger would have stood tall at the Fourth Summit of South American Arabs Countries (ASPA), as he had done at the just concluded United Nations (UN) General Assembly. At the ASPA summit the Guyanese leader was quick to point out that “it offers crucial lessons for successfully cultivating meaningful friendship, peace and mutually beneficial relations even amid disparate national and regional perspectives and challenges.”
According to him, the summit also reflected many timeless ideas and ideals that have inspired efforts since the initiation of the bi-regional enterprise over a decade ago.
“The world today stands in even greater need of such collective efforts. This summit signifies a renewed spirit of understanding and cooperation for mutual benefit and progress for our peoples, our governments and our continents. This summit will generate greater understanding, peace and solidarity in a world of growing inequality, insecurity and injustice,” President Granger said.
The diplomacy of peace is a winning option. We saw it bearing dividends only recently when the Mexican Government warmly received Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and in solidarity with Guyana, not only pledged to buy paddy from this country in the face of a trade embargo by Venezuela, but also expressed willingness to assist in preparing the regulatory framework for extraction of oil to ensure both safe practices and equitable rewards from the anticipated new oil wealth.
Our President was accorded a red carpet reception, with the Guyana delegation being flown to Riyadh on a private jet, provided by Saudi Arabia and received by His Highness Salman bin Abulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is fully aware that its OPEC partner, Venezuela, had cast poisonous eyes on Guyana’s oil potential and decided to embrace Guyana in what could be an assurance of friendship at a critical time.
As Guyana’s former senior diplomat, Dr Odeen Ishmael, revealed:  “Guyana’s ties with Saudi Arabia can assist in countering aggression and any plans of usurpation by Venezuela since the Saudis are committed based on the South American Arab agreements to respect the territorial integrity of all states…” He said too that President Granger’s participation at the summit was also especially significant.
“He will always be held in high esteem by the Saudis for this, since he showed them respect by accepting the King’s invitation to travel to Saudi Arabia. Guyana can now build on this contact of friendship and win the solidarity of the Saudis and other governments of the Arab states in supporting our territorial integrity and in offering advice and other support for the development of our oil potential.”
Dr Ishmael is an authority on Guyana-Venezuela relations. He has been Guyana’s Ambassador to both Caracas and the Middle East, his last posting being in Kuwait before his retirement.  He has authored the trilogy: “The Trail of Diplomacy-The Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue.”
In preparation of Guyana joining the “Oil Club”, it is refreshing that our new leadership had adopted a policy of forging strong relations with oil producing states such as Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. It must be noted that when Venezuela, in a criminal and punitive aggression, severed supply of fuel, it was Trinidad that hurriedly filled the gap. It is that the Granger-led Coalition will continue to blaze this trail of peace diplomacy while at the same time, tap into opportunities for trade and aid that could help grow the Guyana economy faster. We salute President Granger on his new look energetic and purposeful diplomacy.