Govt confident of ICJ ruling reasserting invalidity of Venezuela’s claim – Border controversy

─ “Government has been reasserting, forcefully, respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity”- President Granger

─ Department of Citizenship managing influx of Venezuelans in accordance with int’l best practices

─  “Our coalition Government is proud of its record of achievements. It has brought about measurable and substantive change. It has made itself into an indispensable vehicle for continued national transformation”

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 18, 2018

The Coalition Administration is confident and anticipates an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy that will reaffirm the “Award regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela of 1899” and reassert the invalidity of Venezuela’s claim to our territory.

President David Granger on Friday, August 17 reassured Guyanese of his government’s commitment and efforts, as he addressed the PNCR’s 20th Biennial Delegates Congress:

“Our coalition Government has been reasserting, forcefully, respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Guyana, in the face of provocation, launched sustained engagements aimed at garnering international support for respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He reminded of government’s efforts to bring the controversy to a peaceful and legal end, describing the case’s referral to the ICJ as one of the country’s greatest diplomatic achievements.

Turning his attention to the internal situation in neighbouring Venezuela, the president noted the impact on the internal situation in Guyana, with scores of Venezuelan migrants entering the country, mainly through the Barima-Waini Region (Region One).

In this regard, the Head of State said the Department of Citizenship, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of the Presidency, is ensuring that the influx of Venezuelans is humanely managed in accordance with international best practices.

The foresight in establishing this department has now become evident, the president said.

Pointing to the re-energising of external relations, President Granger said foreign policy is the basis for the pursuit of national interest in the international community.

“We value our close ties with friendly states, including those within the Caribbean Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil whose support has been pivotal to ensuring respect for our nation’s security,” he noted.

Reference was made to Guyana’s strengthened relations with Asia, China and the wider world with the country’s recent membership of the International Solar Alliance, the signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the People’s Republic of China, within the framework of “China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road” as testimony to deepening cooperation.

“Our coalition Government is proud of its record of achievements. It has brought about measurable and substantive change. It has made itself into an indispensable vehicle for continued national transformation,” President Granger emphasised.

Stacy Carmichael

Image: Keno George