Greenidge commends Opposition for support in Guyana/Venezuela controversy
VICE-PRESIDENT and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge commended the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic for their statements in support of Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo Region, which was claimed by Venezuela in an Executive decree made by that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro. He told reporters before entering the Parliamentary Chambers for the opening of the 11th Parliament that “Venezuela is “clearly taking action that is deleterious to Guyana’s interest.” While recognising the constitutional right of Maduro in Venezuela to issue decrees, Greenidge maintains that the decree was made on illegal terms against international law.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, as Guyana’s Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge addresses Parliament on the Venezuela issue
The Foreign Minister maintained that Venezuela’s claims are “spurious.”“The language of the assertions and the suggestion that Guyana has misrepresented the facts is most unfortunate, and I think that type of escalation born of a certain, perhaps, contempt for others, is an unfortunate characteristic of how the dialogue has been conducted,” Greenidge added.
While acknowledging his party’s criticism of the former Donald Ramotar Administration, Greenidge commended that Administration for their work in dealing with the Venezuela/Guyana controversy. “We have been very critical of the PPP Government in the past, in a number of things, but in this particular area, we are satisfied that in their recent dealings with Venezuela, they have acted properly,” he added.
“We have been elected by a democratic process, and I am very, very pleased, and I must commend the PPP for unequivocally stating that they have the national interest at heart, and in our actions, we share a view that both parties have acted properly in Guyana’s national interest.”
In the face of the controversy, President David Granger has expressed confidence in the role of the United Nations Secretary General to arbitrate between Guyana and Venezuela, as Venezuela has once again raised claims to Guyana’s Essequibo Region and maritime waters off the coast of that region.
Speaking to reporters after his address to the 11th Parliament, President Granger said any negotiations with Venezuela will be done through the Good Offices process of the United Nations.
Following an 1899 Arbitration between the British and Venezuelan Governments, the boundaries of British Guiana, now Guyana, were clearly defined.
Venezuela, through an Executive Decree made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has extended its claims to Guyana’s Essequibo Region as well as the maritime waters off the coast of that region, where US Oil Giant ExxonMobil is conducting oil extraction exercises.
President Granger was asked whether his Administration would consider utilising former Foreign Minister under the Ramotar Administration, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for this country’s negotiations with Venezuela, but the President responded that it is too early to determine whether such a step would be taken.
Meanwhile, UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, has reaffirmed the position of his Government that “what Venezuela has claimed… has no grounds in international law.” “That water is Guyanese water, and should be seen as Guyanese water, and therefore Venezuelan claim on it is completely wrong,” Quinn told this publication in an invited comment.
He further went on to assert that Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo is similarly wrong. Asked whether Venezuela’s decree would affect economic activity in Essequibo and offshore of that region, Quinn noted the response of ExxonMobil in the media that its agreement to operate in the Stabroek Block of the Atlantic Ocean was with the Government of Guyana.
The UK Envoy is hoping that both parties will come to a diplomatic solution as was done in 1966 when Guyana gained independence from the British.
Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge addresses the Parliament yesterday
