Every sitting PPP / C president, except Hinds, got a taste of a bitter Venezuelan cup
Dear Editor,
Like the two-headed threshold, the Guyana / Venezuela debate has raised its head once again, this time in a more aggressive and belligerent approach on the Venezuelan side.
This is an obvious departure from Chavista philosophy. Hugo Chavez announced at a public forum held at the Pegasus Hotel during his visit to Guyana in February 2004, referring to Guyana-Venezuela relations, “Through a process of positive dialogue and mutual understanding differences can be reduced.”
And one of the country’s daily newspapers reflecting on Chavez’s visit had this to say;
‘The Chavez administration has in fact led to a new age of relations between Venezuela and Guyana.
The Venezuelan Government has not been aggressive towards Guyana but has been a friendly partner in developing closer hemispheric relations. ‘
Clearly, Chavez’s call for ‘positive dialogue and mutual understanding’ has been dropped and replaced by Maduro’s urge for his countrymen and women to “fight the occupation of Venezuela-occupied territory. ”
Maduro’s foreign policy has evolved from one characterized by ambiguity to a more aggressive relationship with Guyana.
History has shown that when a regime is isolated both internally and externally, it is necessary to expect an external enemy and to whip up jingoistic exultations among its population. As for Venezuela’s policy towards Guyana, it was only a matter of time.
Let’s be clear that every sitting PPP / C president, except President Samuel Hinds, has had a taste of a bitter Venezuelan cup. With Cerddi Jagan, it was a request from President Carlos Andres Perez for Venezuela to have a slider from the national territory of Guyana to facilitate Venezuela’s access to the Atlantic.
An application rejected by Jagan as Leader of the Opposition and later, as President of Guyana.
With President Janet Jagan, the move to capture Guyana in the ‘Globality’ motion was intended to move the debate from the multilateral to the bilateral level.
This move was rejected by Guyana leading to a spectacular Venezuelan assertion that ‘Guyana is ignoring its obligations under the Geneva Treaty’ and concludes with President Rafael Caldera’s November 1998 statement that “Venezuela would not refute its well-deserved claim to ‘ r Essequibo. ”
President Bharat Jagdeo lost the Beal Aerospace satellite launch investment in October 2000 and as a result of large Chinese investment in the forestry sector leading to Venezuela’s aggressive foreign policy initiatives, investors abandoned the lot – needed investments then and ensuring links between the two countries.
Now that Maduro and Guido are in the grip of their country’s splendid allegation, the question now is, what will be the position of the US administration since she supported Guido and granted him almost all of Venezuela’s foreign missions, except his Permanent Representative. to the United Nations, almost clipping Maduro’s External Affairs wings.
Call out the PPP / C administration to ‘get its act together and commit to a major program supported by all parties and political groups (I would add, individuals who are not in a party or group but could nevertheless make a contribution)’ the harmful and ignorant propaganda promoted by Caracas for decades ‘is to be welcomed despite the justification that all of this should have been a work in progress over the years, however under the circumstances,’ Better late than never ‘.
Furthermore, the call for a number of actions including ‘multi-level response, use of social media, creating a framework for educating the population and the need for a group to visit workplaces, the need for a commission – or at least – group should be categorized to organize all this’ and finally, for ‘allocating resources to such a large exercise’ as no recommendation should be left behind.
It’s a shame that this is all coming now as a knee jerk response to an issue that for decades has been hanging over the nation’s head like an ominous cloud ready to burst.
Among the many weaknesses of our democracy is the process of putting people who are knowledgeable on issues of strategic and national importance, because of political differences. Our lack of human capital makes such an approach unwise and unaffordable.
I remember inviting foreign Minister Jackson to join me in helping to shape a political and diplomatic response to Suriname’s expulsion of CGX from the Guyana area that is considered to be within its maritime borders.
During my time as Foreign Minister, I secured the Ministry of Education’s permission to visit secondary schools to give talks on the Guyana / Venezuela border debate.
Students and teachers welcomed the initiative.
I submitted and received the approval of the National Assembly for a motion calling for the establishment of the first ever Select Parliamentary Boundary Committee in December 1994.
The Committee comprising the government and the opposition, was set up to monitor, analyze and inform parliament on issues related to the integrity of Guyana’s borders; the Committee was empowered to invite individuals and persons from other organizations and institutions; and receive expert information and advice and assist him in his discussions and activities. In circumstances, possibilities should be explored to establish a parliamentary committee of a similar nature.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Group established in November 1999 should be briefed in the 16th CHOGM comprising the five Commonwealth countries to monitor developments in relation to the current Guyana / Venezuela debate on recent developments.
The same should apply to CARICOM and the OAS Permanent Council.
Guyana’s priceless move away from the UN Good Offices Process to the World Court in search of a legal settlement brought down the curtains on the prospects for continued functional cooperation between the two countries, which brought some benefits in Guyana.
But what gets done is done. Guyana has enduring interests and one of its enduring interests is to consolidate and protect its territorial integrity and national sovereignty at all times and continue to move forward for the benefit of its people and future generations.
A great opportunity has presented itself for the country to be put before the party. As people united under the banner of ‘Not a blade of Grass’, our work is certainly cut out for us.
Truly,
Clement J. Rohee