President Irfaan Ali yesterday welcomed the World Court ruling ordering Venezuela not to take any action that interferes with Guyana’s control over the Essequibo and he urged Caracas to join this country in respecting international law.
The key Order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated: “Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Cooperative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area.”
It was different from what Guyana had requested but in essence instructs Venezuela that no matter the outcome of its referendum tomorrow, it cannot move to seek control of Essequibo. Question five on Venezuela’s referendum seeks clearance for the creation of a state called Guayana Esequiba and the development of an accelerated plan for the comprehensive care of the current and future population of that territory that includes, among others, the granting of citizenship and a Venezuelan identity card.
Ali welcomed the unanimous ruling by the ICJ and said “As the Court has made clear, Venezuela is prohibited from annexing or trespassing upon Guyanese territory or taking any other actions – regardless of the outcome of its referendum on December 3 – that would alter the status quo in which Guyana administers and controls the Essequibo Region, as an integral part of its sovereign territory, under the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899”.
The President, in an address on his Facebook page, also argued that the ruling is legally binding on Venezuela.
“Both the UN Charter and the Statute of the Court, to which Venezuela is a Party, require its strict compliance.
“This is an opportunity for Venezuela to join Guyana in demonstrating respect for international law and the principles that govern peaceful coexistence”, the Head of State contended.
He said that Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process and the rule of law.
“It is fully confident that, when the ICJ issues its final Judgment on the merits of the case, it will conclude that the Essequibo is legally and rightfully Guyanese territory. We believe that justice, not force, should be the arbiter of international disputes”, the President stated.
He affirmed Guyana’s dedication to pursuing a peaceful, legal resolution to the controversy over the 1899 arbitral award “in the right and proper place – the ICJ – as authorized by the UN Secretary-General in the exercise of his powers under the Geneva Agreement of 1966”.
He added that the solidarity of the international community with Guyana has been invaluable.
“We appeal to our sister countries of CARICOM and the broader international community to continue supporting the principles of justice and international law in relation to the controversy over Guyana’s border with Venezuela. Our collective voice can serve as a beacon for the respect of the United Nations Charter, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
“As Guyana prepares to join the UN Security Council, we are conscious of the responsibility that comes with this role – to encourage and support international peace and stability and the rule of law, and we encourage all peace-loving nations to insist on Venezuelan respect for the Charter of the United Nations and the UN’s highest court. We are resolved to maintain our region as a Zone of Peace, and we invite all nations to join us in this noble pursuit”, he added.
