Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues – Birkett.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues – Birkett has restated the Guyana Government’s position in response to recent news reports where the local representatives of the Governments of the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom called on the Government of Guyana to join in condemning Russia’s actions against Ukraine.

In a facebook post, Rodrigues Birkett says while the conduct of diplomacy is ever changing it remains unusual for Ambassadors and High Commissioners to make a demarche on the host Government through a Media Conference, especially when there is easy access to the relevant authorities.

From L-R: Dr. Nicole Giles, Andre Ayre, Bryan Hunte

“This approach is even more interesting since the countries concerned are already aware of the position of the Government of Guyana as adumbrated during several face to face interactions and also in a response carried by some sections of the media, following the vote on the United Nations Resolution concerning Crimea,” her post added.

The Foreign Minister recalled that Guyana and seven other CARICOM countries abstained and six UNASUR countries including Guyana also abstained while two voted against the resolution.

“This speaks to the complexity of the matter which cannot be strictly compared and/or confused with the territorial situations of other countries, given the history and geopolitical tenets among other considerations,” she said.

“As a small state, Guyana is obliged to insist on respect by all states for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law as a guarantor of international peace and security and as a bulwark against external threats. It is a matter of concern that the application of these principles by powerful actors in the international community is often marked by unevenness, inconsistency and double standards,” she restated.

She said too that Guyana has long upheld the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the prohibition against the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and against intervention in the domestic affairs of states. Guyana also respect the right of peoples to self-determination and stress the need for a consistent and principled approach to its application.

To this end, Rodrigues Birkett said Guyana calls on Russia and Ukraine to exercise restraint and responsibility, to desist from any act that can lead to a heightening of tensions, and to work to solve their differences through dialogue.

A joint Press Conference was held on Wednesday by the Heads of Missions for America, Canada and the United Kingdom at the Canadian High Commission’s Chapel in Georgetown.

The Conference reiterated the position of the three Governments’ regarding the situation in Ukraine and a jointed call was made for Russia to withdraw its troops or face additional sanctions from the ABC countries.

The Heads of Missions expressed a desire to have Guyana support this position and issued a statement in this regard; saying Russia has displayed total disregard for international laws.