Dear Editor,
The President recently told the nation of his exploits and benefits to the nation in the important area of Foreign Affairs. We were told that over time he has met with sixty Heads of State. This is laudable and impressive. However, examining relations with our three neighbours with whom we share borders, Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, require considerable care and caution. His Excellency can be well advised to secure the experience and wisdom of persons who understand the need to tread carefully in dealing with our neighbours. The criticism I make is perhaps for parochial reasons or a fear to seek advice outside of the comfort zone of party the faithful, no matter how unwilling the President is to get over this debilitating hurdle.
In his recent proposal to have the Corentyne River bridged to Suriname, I sensed that our government is unaware of the history of the two nations and the lingering beliefs of our neighbour to the East. As a youngster, and member of the Queens College Troupe 27 Scouts, we hosted a Scouts Group from Suriname. These scouts claimed the Corentyne River up to the high water mark on the Corentyne Coast as theirs as advised in their history books and mother country, Holland. Recall August 18, 1969 and Suriname’s occupation of an area known as the New River Triangle.
As a primary school student my cousin visited. His name was Roland Racar. At that time I didn’t understand the significance when speaking with my mother, his aunt, he told us that being half Venezuelan and half Guyanese, he was concerned that we were not handing over parts of Essequibo to Venezuela. I remembered this as an adult and political figure, because we had to grapple with this aggression by Venezuela. But back to President Ali’s bravado about building a bridge to the east with the cooperation of Suriname without settling in unambiguous language the question of the Corentyne River.
Editor, the earlier examples I gave suggests that succeeding generations in Suriname and Venezuela truly believe the narrative they heard in childhood. These are not easy to change. What the government ought to recognise is that when governments’ change, attitudes could change overnight as well. I am aware how the likes of Guyanese Jai Narine Singh helped to ease the tensions between Guyana and Venezuela. In Suriname, if there is a change of government, who knows whether that new government would truly believe all of the Corentyne River up to the high water mark is theirs and logic would suggest that any bridge, no matter how high, would be the preserve and property of the Government of Suriname.
It is not necessary for the purpose of this letter to deal with our borders and neighbours to the south and west, save as a nationalist and a patriot to advise President Ali to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s before advancing on this bridge project. I do hope that someone is listening and not believe that every observation or criticism made is an act of hostility. Many of us do so because we wish to help and to make optimal use of our God-given resources.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder