Dear Editor,
Venezuela’s increasing aggression is not only misplaced but devoid of legitimacy. Even as we acknowledge these we cannot ignore, in a world where might could supersede right, small nations such as ours must navigate these murky waters, sensibly. Young Guyana, going back to 1965, has been unwavering in its commitment to abide by the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the territorial dispute between then British Guiana and the Boliviarian Republic of Venezuela, under the colonial leadership of Britain. Guyanese recall the presence of Premier Forbes Burnham during the 9th- 10th December 1965 at a high level meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister and the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, addressing the 7th November 1965 Communique signed by Representatives of Venezuela and Britain, along with a Representative from British Guiana to: “Find satisfactory solutions for a practical settlement of the controversy which has arisen as a result of the Venezuelan contention that the 1899 Award is null and void.”
On the eve of independence, the Burnham government pursued a path to resolution through the Geneva Agreement, which the Desmond Hoyte government continued and on expiration in 1990, pursued the Good Officer process which lasted until 2017. In 2018 the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ), committed to the principle of peaceful resolution. This serves to remind all, in particular young Guyanese who may be unaware, or were led to believe differently, that any government the People’s National Congress (PNC) has been part of has consistently navigated this situation with due diligence and sense. In or out of government, the PNC remains committed to protecting and defending Guyana’s sovereignty through peaceful and judicious means- legal and diplomatic.
As a Guyanese citizen, Parliamentarian, and proud member of the PNC, I join with my colleagues in the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change, to reaffirm the position taken by the PNC, historically and in these times: -All Guyana, in its present configuration belongs to all of us. Every single square inch and we are not giving up what belongs to us! The National Assembly must be unanimous in conviction and purpose on the Venezuela/Guyana border controversy. All and any doubts must be removed by successive governments and the people of Guyana. Guyanese deserve a peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy, as led by the Burnham government to where the matter is presently before the ICJ as placed by the Granger/Nagamootoo government. The people of Guyana must hold their elected leaders accountable to this, failing which they will be complicit with any action taken by the PPP that does not serve the interest of the nation and its citizens.
The last thing we, who are alive today would want is a repeat of the Severo Mallet-Prevost’s situation- the lawyer who represented Venezuela in the Arbitral Tribunal and reportedly requested, after his death, the release of a 1944 Memorandum attacking the 1899 Arbitral Award, on an allegation the Award was a political deal between Britain and Russia. Whilst Mallet-Prevost’s contention couldn’t be further from the truth, given the Treaty that formed the basis for the Award, both Venezuela and Britain agreed “to consider the result of the tribunal of arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all the questions referred by the arbitrators,” nothing from the grave must haunt us. Mallet-Prevost’s contention lacks evidence but is being used by the Venezuelans to stir up trouble which we must guard against.
To said allegiance, we in the APNU+AFC pledge to cherish and defend all 83, 000 square miles of land and 53, 374.7 square miles of our Exclusive Economic Zone from foes, external and any who dare think they can attack us from within. The PPP therefore has a duty to partner with the APNU+AFC and sincerely fight for this land, its institutions and symbols of State, the welfare of each citizen, and everything under Guyana’s skies. Political leaders must show the world that in this moment in time when issues require putting the Guyanese people and Nation over self, we delivered. May God continue to richly bless us.
Sincerely,
Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P
Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal
Affairs