Guyana crossed a major hurdle yesterday when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced it would adjudicate the border controversy with Venezuela but it is likely to take as much as nine years before the matter is finally settled, according to Guyana’s co-agent in the case, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge.
Speaking at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) following the ICJ’s ruling, Greenidge said that he was pleased with the decision.
“We are pleased to see this case accepted by a forum which can ensure the definitive resolution of the controversy which has bedeviled our country and its neighbour since 1962. The issue has been characterised by the endless and determinable repetition of processes and arguments and in the background, whilst these interminable exchanges have taken place, Guyana has lost territory, investments and the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of its people,” he explained.
Greenidge said the next step is a communication from the Court on the matter of case management. No announcement as to a possible date has been announced so Guyana waits.
“It is session where you look at dates and how much time they will give you to prepare your presentation and so forth and they will want to consider the likelihood of Venezuela participating,” he said, before adding that Guyana’s lawyers are already preparing not just for the case management but also for the presentation of the substantive issues in the case.
No matter the time is takes, Greenidge maintained that he was confident of success.
Guyana’s push for a juridical settlement was initiated under the former APNU+AFC government, in which Greenidge served as the Foreign Minister. On behalf of the APNU+AFC coalition, opposition Leader Joseph Harmon yesterday commended Greenidge’s leadership and the work of the legal team that presented Guyana’s case before the ICJ.
‘Some ways to go’
Also confident of success are the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd and Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira.
“We believe that we will see the end of this process and Guyana will become victorious so we can move on peacefully in being able to exploit our resources and to enjoy stability not only here in Guyana but within the region,” Todd noted.
He, too, reminded that yesterday victory was just the start.
“This is a small victory. We still have to present the merits of the case, we still have some ways to go… so we want the people of Guyana to understand that we need their support as well,” he said, before adding that while he had great respect for the Venezuelan people, Guyana must protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Teixeira expressed the hope that Venezuela will take the opportunity to participate in the case.
“We will win in the end ….We should feel happy and confident…hopefully this is a signal to Venezuela that the International Court and International Law will rule on this case submission or no submission…. and we hope Venezuela will participate in the case that they will make a submission so that this is a way in which both countries can accept the rule of law,” she said.
