‘A united front is the way to go’ – Business community lauds, Govt., Opposition on stance against Venezuela’s threats

Oct 26, 2023 News

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Kaieteur News – The leading private sector organizations have hailed the meeting between the government and Opposition, which produced a united stance against recent threats from neighbouring Venezuela over the Essequibo.

President Irfaan Ali and Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton on Tuesday met at the Office of the President to discuss the existential threat by Venezuela to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed each other’s commitment to defend this country’s interest. The two leaders also rejected a proposed referendum by Venezuela that will see the annexation of the Essequibo, which they spuriously claimed belongs to them and called on the international community join in condemning the Bolivarian Republic’s threats to Guyana.

In a statement reacting to the meeting by the leaders, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said it is heartened. “The GCCI believes that this unified front is a critical underpinning for ensuring the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Guyana. These talks demonstrate a degree of political maturity and leadership that is required to navigate these circumstances. The Chamber calls for all Guyanese to show support and unify for this cause. The maintenance of our Guyana must be of paramount importance. The GCCI will continue to support efforts being made in this arena and believes that the right course is being charted by our leaders.”

For its part, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) said too that it is pleased to learn that Guyana’s government and Opposition have joined
forces to oppose Venezuela’s ongoing efforts to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The GMSA recognises that the unity of these two political parties is beneficial for the country and its citizens. Their joint statement reaffirms their commitment to safeguarding Guyana’s interests and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all Guyanese citizens. President Ali and
Opposition Leader Norton have demonstrated their commitment to fighting Venezuela’s relentless attempts to undermine Guyana’s development,” the association said in a statement. “The association also appreciates the international community’s support in condemning Venezuela’s actions and standing in solidarity with Guyana. This support further strengthens the country’s position and sends a clear message that any aggression towards Guyana will not be tolerated.”

President Ali was accompanied by Prime Minister. Mark Phillips, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, Gail Teixeira, M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Norton for his part was accompanied by Khemraj Ramrattan, MP, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Amanza Walton Desir, Geeta Chandon-Edmond, MP, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Ambassador Ronald Austin, CCH, Adviser.  According to a joint statement by Ali and Norton, in discussing the latest actions by the Government of Venezuela in pursuit of its spurious claim to the Essequibo territory of Guyana, President Ali and Opposition Leader, Norton from the outset, agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is of paramount importance and is a matter on which the Guyanese people are all completely united. To this end, they condemned the flagrant violation of the rule of law by Venezuela and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist that country’s persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Ali and the Leader of the Opposition also agreed that the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state must be subserved by a vigorous and comprehensive public education programme and a proactive and robust diplomatic effort aimed at blunting Venezuelan propaganda and misinformation as they relate to the territorial controversy generally, and the Geneva Agreement in particular. “They reaffirmed the commitment to the current judicial process that is being conducted under the aegis of the International Court of Justice and are convinced that this would finally resolve the question raised by Venezuela over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the leaders recalled that for more than six decades after the 1899 Arbitral Award was delivered, Venezuela treated the Award as a final settlement of the border between the two countries. To this end, it consistently recognised, affirmed and relied upon the 1899 Arbitral Award as “a full, perfect, and final settlement” of the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. In particular, between 1900 and 1905, Venezuela participated in a joint demarcation of the boundary, in strict adherence to the letter of the 1899 Arbitral Award, and emphatically refused to countenance even minor technical modifications of the boundary line described in the Award. Venezuela proceeded to formally ratify the demarcated boundary in its domestic law and thereafter published official maps, which depicted the boundary following the line described in the 1899 Award.

In July 1931, Venezuela concluded a boundary agreement with Brazil that expressly confirmed the tri-junction point of the boundaries of British Guiana, Venezuela and Brazil as described in the 1899 Award. For more than sixty years, Venezuela gave full effect to that Award, and never raised a concern as to its validity and binding legal effects.  President Ali and Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton determined that the questions to be posed in the Referendum to be held by Venezuela on December 3, 2023, violated the sanctity of treaties. Moreover, they are in blatant disregard of the principles of international law. In particular, question three as part  of the set of questions, speaks to the “historical position” of Venezuela “of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to resolve the territorial controversy over ‘Guayana Esequiba’; while question five seeks the approval of the Venezuelan people for the creation of a new Venezuelan State consisting of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, to include “the granting of citizenship and Venezuelan identity card in accordance with the Geneva Agreement and international law”. This is a deliberate misinterpretation of the Geneva Agreement and a clear violation of International Law.

They further underscored the fact that no Government or the people of one country has the right in international law, to seize, annex, or conquer the territory of another country. International law emphatically prohibits this. Both leaders acknowledged the support by the international community for the preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and urged that Venezuela’s actions be closely monitored as they pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the hemisphere. President Ali and Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton agreed to keep in close consultation on this matter of national importance.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters following the meeting, Opposition Leader Norton, expressed deep concern over Venezuela’s recent actions and underscored the vital need for a cooperative approach between the government and the Opposition.  Norton said, “We have been able to outline our own positions. We are unified in a number of issues, including rejecting this whole idea of a referendum that it is pernicious, dangerous, and aggressive. Hope it should not be going forward. It’s very aggressive by nature and militarizing issue that really should be for diplomatic resolution.”

He described the meeting with President Ali as a resounding success, and shared that a joint statement will be issued. Norton emphasized the need for heightened dialogue and public education. President Ali reportedly concurred, indicating a commitment to pursue these actions. The Opposition Leader explained that he had read Venezuela recent statement, underscoring that he believes the Spanish-speaking nation, “Is trying to shift this thing away from the ICG. we have to ensure it stays with the ICJ and our best option is with the ICJ…and what Venezuela is attempting to do is to make it appear as if we are the Government of Guyana all of us are rejecting dialogue. We are not.” For his part, Khemraj Ramjattan, expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcomes, viewing it as a significant step towards achieving unity between the government and the Opposition.

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• business, govt, lauds, opposition, Venezuela’s

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