Guyana tells Islamic bloc …of Venezuela’s expansionist ambitions
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge

AS Guyana continues to face threats to its territorial integrity by Venezuela, the English-speaking country is continuing in its efforts to inform the international community of the dangers of such a move by the once oil-rich country. The latest body to be informed of Venezuela’s aggression is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during its Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting which commenced on Tuesday in Uzbekistan.
Presenting Guyana’s case before the 57-member Islamic bloc was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who asserted that Guyana strongly rejects all aggressive and illegal action which affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Underscoring the need for dialogue and negotiations to alleviate unresolved problems, the Foreign Minister pointed out that Guyana has always supported this approach, within the context of the preservation of sovereignty and its inextricable link with sustainable development.
“Guyana strongly rejects all aggressive and illegal actions which affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and more so those measures that involve the threat or use of force.”
Over the last year, the neighbouring Spanish-speaking country has renewed claims to almost two-thirds of Guyana’s territory despite an 1899 Tribunal which granted the territory in favour of then British Guiana.
But in 1966, on the eve of Guyana’s independence from Britain, Venezuela claimed the 1899 arbitral award was null and void.
That triggered the Geneva Agreement, which mandated the United Nations Secretary-General to dictate a mechanism to settle the controversy as provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.
The then UN Secretary-General selected the Good Officers Process as one of the specific means available under the Charter. However, President David Granger contended last year that after 25 years, the Good Officers process has been exhausted.
Guyana has since signalled its intention to pursue a juridical settlement,for which the country is awaiting an announcement. President Granger has said that he remains hopeful that outgoing Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will choose a course of action before he demits office later this year.
In the meantime though, Guyana has been able to solicit the support of several regional and international bodies despite some of those countries having ties with Venezuela. And while Venezuela has been known to have strong ties with some of the states in the OIC, such as Iran and Syria, Guyana has been able to successfully present its case.
The Islamic bloc was made aware by Guyana’s Foreign Minister of the dangers of Venezuela’s aggression, even at a time when that country is experiencing economic turmoil.
“The danger Venezuela poses to the peace and security of our region arises, not only from its internal instability, but also from its external assault on Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Minister Greenidge said.
He went on to inform the august body that in keeping with the 1966 Geneva Agreement, Geneva stands ready to have the International Court of Justice determine the matter with finality.
However, despite Venezuela agreeing in 1966 that the United Nations’ Secretary-General shall determine the means of settlement of this matter, including determination by judicial settlement, that country continues to defy the Secretary- General’s every effort to fulfil that commitment.
But on Guyana’s part, the Foreign Minister noted that “as a peace-loving and democratic state,” this country will continue to “unequivocally oppose acts of discrimination in all its forms,” including those of xenophobia and Islamophobia, which can only result in disunity among the OIC brotherhood.
“From Guyana’s perspective, terrorism constitutes that threat to peace and security both nationally and internationally and serves to undermine sustainable development,” he said.

 

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