— symposium organised by GTUC hears

VENEZUELA, in addition to its spurious claim to the Essequibo, is developing a maritime policy to include part of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), former Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashleigh Jackson said as he underscored the importance of having Guyanese at all strata of society educated on the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy.

Jackson, a distinguished statesman, joined Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh; and former Minister of Education, Labour and Regional Development, Jeffrey Thomas on Thursday to discuss “the continuous Venezuelan incursion into Guyana’s territory” at a symposium organised by the Guyana Trade Union’s Congress (GTUC).

In his discourse with trade unionists at the Critchlow Labour College, the Guyanese diplomat said with diplomacy being Guyana’s first line of defence, the country must remain vigilant, especially at a time when Venezuela is expanding its claim to the country’s territory and maritime space.

“We have to be active day and night, continuously in the diplomatic field, selling the issue on Guyana’s behalf. There is no let up, there is no slackness, there could be no moment of weakness in that campaign,” he told scores of trade unionists seated in the conference room at the Critchlow Labour College.

Though Venezuela is experiencing a high level of instability as a result of an unprecedented economic and political crisis, Jackson said at the political level the Venezuelan Government and opposition are united in their quest for the territorial claim.

In 1899, the borders between Venezuela and then British Guiana were defined by an arbitral tribunal. In 1905, Venezuela helped mark the borders. Half a century later, the Venezuelans then claimed in 1962, the 1899 Award was null and void.

Its recent interception of two vessels which were performing seismic work within the Stabroek Block on behalf of Esso Exploration & Production, Guyana Limited (Exxon Mobil) and its partners CNOOC of China and NEX of the USA, is an indication that the Spanish-speaking country is now moving to claim parts of Guyana Exclusive Economic Zone. Jackson, Minister Greenidge and Major General Singh have all rejected the claims that the vessels were in Venezuela’s territory.

Minister Greenidge explained that the seismic vessel, Ramform Tethys, was intercepted in the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf of Guyana at an approximate distance of 140 kilometres from the nearest point to the provisional equidistant line with Venezuela and some 250 kilometres from Punta Playa, the westernmost point on the land border of Guyana.

NO ENTITLEMENT
The foreign affairs minister, while stating that Venezuela is laying claim to an area that it has no entitlement, said Guyana, within the 200 miles EEZ, has a right to the sea and its resources. “We are entitled to exploit and we can give licenses to the exploitation of that area,” he said.

Minister Greenidge explained that where Venezuela claimed that the vessel was in its territory, was actually in the middle of the EEZ, cutting through the Stabroek Block.
“That Stabroek Block has in it Liza 1 and Liza. Liza 1 is 86km, a little over 90 miles from Suriname… not from the land but Suriname’s maritime territory,” he pointed out while labelling the claim by Venezuela as absurd.

Weighing in on the matter, Major General (ret’d) Singh said having claimed the Essequibo, Venezuela is now claiming all of the sea space extending seawards from its coast. He explained that instead of using a 10 degree line (the line marking the points of equidistance), Venezuela is using a 70 degree line, thereby attempting to appropriate Guyana’s maritime space including a portion of Suriname’s.

Singh, like Jackson and the foreign affairs minister agreed that it is important to educate the public, particularly the young generation on the facts of the matter at a time when disinformation is rampant. The retired Guyanese diplomat charged the GTUC and other unions present to assist in bringing further awareness.

“Whatever you learn about this issue, that you now become someone who can tell others in your home with your children, in your community, in your church, wherever you have activities… become a soldier, a vocal soldier, not a foot soldier for this issue of the territorial integrity of Guyana and promote the interest of Guyana,” he said.

GTUC head Lincoln Lewis and Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald were among trade unionists present at the forum. The matter concerning the territorial controversy is now before the International Court of Justice.