Time is now to put an end to this indignity

Sep 21, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty – Winston Churchill.

Forty two years have passed (from the time it came to public knowledge) since Venezuelans have crossed the International Boundary between Guyana and Venezuela and have entertained themselves.

A review of published documentation regarding this incident (not accident) shows a verbal tug-o-war and nowhere do I see a statement from Guyana in this vein or paraphrased such as – protocol address omitted here – “Please remove your unapproved presence from the territory of Guyana”.

From their comments in response to the Guyana position, they pretend to believe no boundary exists, other than the fixation in their heads.

Does anyone expect that one day soon they will ‘pick up their bundles and go home?’

Does Guyana expect to see them there for the next 100 years?

Does anyone think they will take kindly for us to pinch off three square miles of their land?

Folks! The ultimate remedy to remove all doubts on the part of these Geomaniacs in the west of us is to haul them before the World Court where they will be actioned for US$50 million for each of 42 years, and continuing, together with punitive damages.

A general consensus among Guyanese is that they alone can make advances on our territory. I wonder how they arrived at that conclusion. The same people who are arming them are also supposed to be our friends. Figure that out.

I would suppose that citizens can take the initiative for World Court action should there be reluctance displayed by the elected Government to take this step.

The prospects of success in this endeavour are much more reassuring than suing others to mandate them to purchase our rice and sugar. Time is now to put an end to this indignity.
John De Barros