Written by Leroy Smith
THE Government of Guyana yesterday issued a very strong and stern warning to the Government of Venezuela, the Venezuelan naval vessel ‘Yekuana’, agents of that country, and all other states with respect to operations and exercises in this country’s territorial waters, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The GOG categorically stated that, No activity should be carried out in Guyana’s waters, its continental shelf or economic zone without express consent from the Government of Guyana.The Guyana Government made the statement through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday, following reports and confirmation that on Thursday, October 10, 2013, armed Venezuela Navy vessel the ‘Yekuana’ began trailing seismic vessel the RV Teknik Perdana, an oil exploration vessel operated by the United States-based Anadarko Petroleum entity.

A release from the Guyana Government said the Venezuela Navy vessel obstructed the passage of the Anadarko Petroleum vessel, and requested that the latter vessel change its course and cease its surveying activities.

The crew of the RV Teknik Perdana allegedly explained to the Venezuela crew that they were conducting a multi-beam survey of the seafloor in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, but this was to no avail, since the Venezuela crew insisted that the vessel was working in Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and instructed that the vessel switch off its engines and shut down its seismic equipment.

The Venezuelan naval vessel then ordered the RV Teknik Perdana, which was then located at 10.21.0745 North 57 31.105 West, to travel at 5 knots in a westerly direction. Later that night, the crew of the survey vessel was instructed to increase speed to 7 knots and was given directions to sail to the island of Margarita in Venezuela.

The Government of Guyana advertised in its release that it had issued Anadarko Petroleum with a prospecting licence to search for hydrocarbons in the Roraima block offshore Guyana.

It very clearly stated that the vessel and crew were not only being escorted out of Guyana’s water but were also under arrest.
“These actions by the Venezuelan naval vessel are unprecedented in Guyana/Venezuela relations”, the Guyana Government was quoted as saying in its release. What was also clear was that the incident took place in Guyana waters.

The concerns of the Guyana Government have been expressed to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Guyana Government deems those concerns grave, and has requested the immediate release of the seismic vessel and its crew.

The Guyana Government has said it intends to employ every peaceful measure to facilitate a prompt return to the status quo ante, since, “neither the Venezuelan naval vessel, the agents of Venezuela, its Government nor any other State has the authority to exercise any action in Guyana’s territorial waters, its continental shelf or its exclusive economic zone without its express consent”.

The actions of the Venezuelan naval crew have been described by the Guyana Government as a threat to the peace of the sub region, and said those actions should be strongly condemned. The situation can, however, be resolved peacefully because the Guyana Government believes that is the best approach to resolving disagreements between states.
The Guyana Government maintains that the RV Teknik Perdana was merely collecting seismic data, and it would be some time before actual exploration for hydrocarbons can take place.
Further, there was and is ample time for Guyana and Venezuela to discuss any difference of views that may exist in relation to the provisional maritime boundary between the two states.

Guyana maintains that application of the principles of international delimitation would vindicate its position that the RV Teknik Perdana was well within its maritime boundary when it was illegally evicted by the Venezuelan naval vessel. Indeed, the Government statement said, that the Roraima concession block is also well within Guyana’s maritime boundary.

The Government of Guyana has said it is committed to working with the Government of Venezuela to find a diplomatic solution to this problem which has arisen.

Meantime, at a press conference held yesterday, Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier rtd David Granger, supported the position of the Government of Guyana in its warning to the Government of Venezuela and in reminding the Government of Venezuela that no operation by any state or its agents would be tolerated without the necessary permission.

The Opposition Leader said the actions of the Venezuela Navy vessel amounted to a threat to international peace, and he called on Guyana’s western neighbour to fulfil its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, and to desist from resorting to armed force in its relations with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.