By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – With Venezuela’s recent claim to Guyana’s oil rich waters, concerns have been raised as it relates to the security of the ExxonMobil rig which is currently drilling for oil in the Stabroek Bloc, but President David Granger has made it clear that the U.S Oil giant has nothing to worry about.
Venezuela’s most recent claim has been heavily disputed by the local diplomatic corps with Vice President with responsibility for Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge saying that it is “shameless” and exposes the greed of the oil producing South American state.
When questioned by the media on Wednesday, the President said that he does not believe that the decree poses a threat to the physical integrity of the platform. This is despite the government already stating the decree empowers the Venezuelan Navy to secure the controversial area.
“I don’t think there is any threat to the Exxon platform. It is quite clear that the Venezuelan decree and the lines are erroneous, they are not acceptable. They have no basis according to international law…we do not issue licenses to our maritime territory which is under threat,” the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces affirmed.
President Granger also stated that he is at odds to ascertain why Venezuela would want to make such a claim on the country’s territory at this point in Guyana’s history.
“I have never seen a map like that…so it’s really beyond me,” he stated.
Earlier, Greenidge had noted that Guyana will not waiver in its response to the illegal claim. The Minister also pointed out the international community has been duly apprised of the recent developments in the decades old controversy.
Feb 2nd, 1899
Case closed
Drill baby , brill
Why must we stop Our legal development to please intruders it is our territory. We will fight for our right .
1. It is not a dispute because the boundary was settled in 1899. Even if that agreement is now null and void, as Venezuela claims, it does not negate the boundary. That’s a principle of international law and why the int’l community is on Guyana’s side. 2. Venezuela hasn’t signed any maritime delimitation treaty nor is it a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea so a settlement there is out of the question 3. A country has to agree to appear before the Int’l Court of Justice, it cannot be brought against its will. The Venezuelans would have gone before the ICJ decades ago if they thought they could win. Our only hope is for the UN to abandon the Good Officer process and move to another option. Those are the facts.
Get your army ready? Are you serious? Are they going to patrol the area in canoes or ballyhoos? Guyana has nothing to match the Venezuelan Navy. Sober heads are needed to pour oil on troubled waters.
it is a dispute between Guyana and Venezuela and only the international court can clarify that dispute. it been a dispute for decade and exxon should stop until this issues is resolved in the international court. no one is above the law and every nation has a right to be heard in the international court.
Granger get yr army ready, how many war ships we have??? Oh rite, de hunt man will provide
Would be interesting to see what the American Administration will do if they – the Veneez attack an American Vessel. Their claim is grounded in greed and bulliasm. Tinkling bells and loud cymbals. All noise, no fury.
Venezuela allready take a potion of Guyana land. If u aloud them with your slackness, venezuela will keep on bully the Guyana Goverment. For things is not belong to them okay