David Granger, accompanied by Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and team wrapped up their visit to New York yesterday. Their last act was a meeting with Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as with officials of Venezuela.

Up to the time of writing of this editorial, the outcome of that meeting was not known. Also, during the President’s assignment in New York, he presented this country’s case on the decades-old border controversy with Venezuela to the 72nd Annual Session of the United Nations (UN).

On behalf of the people, President Granger made a spirited and passionate presentation to the UN General Assembly to have the vexing issue of the Venezuela border controversy resolved once and for all. Having before tried various diplomatic approaches, it continues to be seen that the Government of Venezuela holds a view inconsistent with the October 1899 Arbitral Award that made Essequibo ours. The conquistador era is behind us, the Award remains final and binding, and Guyana’s desire to have any doubt erased in the world’s highest court (International Court of Justice) is expected to finally put the unjust claim to rest. Undoubtedly, aspects of this country and people’s development have been stymied by the controversy.

As Guyana continues to distinguish herself in the international arena, it cannot be ignored on the home front that work has to be done. The issues stated require the involvement of all the people. This country belongs to all of us and all must feel wanted, be treated with respect, and allowed to invest in its growth and development. Doing this not only helps the country, but also the UN’s ideals.

During his address to the General Assembly, President Granger made it clear that Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement, which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice.

He reminded his audience that former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his successor, Mr António Guterres, in keeping with the tenets of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, had agreed that if by the end of December 2017 significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the controversy, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.
Norwegian diplomat, Mr Dag Halvor Nylander, who was appointed Personal Representative of the current UN Secretary-General on the matter, has been visiting both countries as he compiles his report.
President Granger told the assembly that Guyana has been working assiduously with Mr Nylander.

Both our President and our Foreign Minister have long recognised that the Good Offices process allows Venezuela to prolong the border controversy, while engaging in frequent acts of aggression. The President in particular, in addressing the issue of the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement, was quoted in the press as saying that he was “fed up with Venezuelan aggression and harassment.” This is an understandable statement in view of the fact that the aggression has been going on from the time of our independence.

Even though it claims to be an adherent of the great Simon Bolivar and signed the Geneva Agreement, various Governments of Venezuela have engaged in naked aggression against Guyana in violation of international norms and peaceful practices. It has seized Guyana’s territory even while the Mixed Commission, established by the Geneva Agreement, met. Caracas has been the architect of several incidents on our border. And it has engaged in the exercise of economic aggression against a small state with the express purpose of frustrating and delaying its development.
Ultimately, the Guyana Government and the Guyanese people have no quarrel with the people of Venezuela. This is the 21st century. There is no place here for 19th century notions of grabbing the land and territorial waters of a small and neighbouring country. Guyana and Caracas over the years have cooperated successfully in many important areas such as medicine and trade. If Caracas can find it possible to abandon outmoded notions of power, an era of cooperation can be opened up between our two countries.