Dear Editor,
Lincoln Lewis asks “What if some time down the road, Venezuela turns up with a document (real or contrived), with Jagdeo’s signature and Guyana’s seal that states such a discussion was had and agreed on?” (S.N 13.11.23) about former President Jagdeo’s information that an idea was floated that a ‘sea lane’ could be given to Venezuela in exchange for a full and final settlement of the Land boundaries as they exist. Oh, if only such an agreement was possible, for a ‘sea lane’ does not interfere with our Exclusive Economic Zone (where the oil is located). The principle that “the land dominates the sea” is established in numerous ICJ judgments such as in North Sea Continental Shelf, Judgment, I.C.J. Reports 2001; Aegean Sea Continental Shelf (Greece v. Turkey),”, I.C.J. Reports 1978; Qatar/ Bahrain, Judgment, I.C.J. Reports 2001, and Case Concerning Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary in the Gulf of Maine Area (Canada/United States), I.C.J. Reports 1984. In other words, had this ‘agreement’ occurred, we (Guyanese) would be in our local vernacular ‘gool’ (i.e.) our land borders would be settled and our oil would be safely ensconced within our EEZ cocoon, free from challenge or military threat. I have every confidence that we will arrive at this position via the ICJ soon enough.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
