GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, acknowledging that President Irfaan Ali has briefed him on Thursday’s talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is nonetheless calling for the agenda to be made public.
Ali and Maduro are to meet in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to ease the tensions between the two countries over the Essequibo region, which Venezuela claims belongs to it.
Ali maintains that the border dispute will not be on the table for discussions, relying instead on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle the centuries-old dispute.
Norton told Parliament on Monday that while the Opposition supports the meeting, ”we would like to see a clear agenda before the conference.
“I believe that it is in the interest of the people of Guyana, not the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), not the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change), but the people of Guyana to have a clear agenda moving forward, so that when we arrive for discussion there is little or no scope to bring anything in that isn’t part of it (the agenda), Norton told legislators.
Norton insists there should be no discussion or compromise on the Essequibo region or the border case before the ICJ.
“I want to remind this House that we were at the forefront of saying there could and must be dialogue but not on the Guyana/Venezuela territorial controversy,” Norton told legislators.
He said that the Opposition’s position is consistent with the November 6 resolution, which not only reaffirmed Guyana’s recognition of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela but also addressed the importance of offering support to the Government in its pursuit of a peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy before the ICJ.
He said the Assembly, through the resolution, rejected the proposal that Guyana should entertain further dialogue with Venezuela on the controversy outside of the process currently before the ICJ.
Norton said the Opposition fully supports the sentiments expressed by Sir Shridath Ramphal, Guyana’s Co-Agent before the ICJ, who, in a statement on Monday, said it is essential that the limits of the talks in St Vincent and the Grenadines are understood, warning that “false expectations should not be encouraged.”
He said the push by CARICOM to have the South American leaders meet amid rising tension was not intended to discuss the controversy over Guyana’s Essequibo region.
“We believe that there is a place for dialogue, but as we said, we hope that at the end of this summit, there is the movement in the direction of peace and the de-escalation of conflict, but we do not compromise our position on the Guyana/Venezuela territorial question,” Norton added.
He told legislators that discussing the border controversy during Thursday’s meeting would breach the joint agreement, and the Opposition would not support such an outcome.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips, providing an update on the controversy to Parliament, sought to reassure legislators that Thursday’s high-level meeting is intended to ensure the maintenance of peace within the region, the respect for international law, and avoid the use or threats of force.
“Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate: Guyana will not be engaging in any dialogue with Venezuela on the settlement of the controversy that has been brought about by Venezuela’s claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void.
“As explained, the method has been tried, tested, and proved futile. It is before the International Court of Justice, allowing both sides to present their case. Guyana is prepared to speak with Venezuela on any other aspect that may contribute to repairing the relationship between the two countries,” Prime Minister Phillips said.
He said Venezuela had already violated the ICJ’s December 1 order, which mandated the country to refrain from taking action that would disrupt the status quo in the Essequibo region and aggravate the situation.
Venezuela held a referendum on the issue on December 3, saying 95 percent of the votes favored the South American country annexing the Essequibo region.
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