…and borders
Prezzie took the opportunity to bring before the UN General Assembly, the intransigence of Venezuela on the border controversy they’d raised back in 1962. Imagine questioning the “full, perfect and final settlement” of our borders that was demarcated by an international Arbitrational Tribunal back in 1899!! How in the world did they get so much spunk? Like everything in life, the timing holds the answer!
At that time, the US, of course, was trying everything – including CIA-sponsored riots – to prevent the PPP and Cheddi Jagan from forming “another Cuba in the hemisphere”. It was no coincidence Venezuela lodged its protest to the UN Committee in February 1962, the week after the Indian business district in Georgetown (presumably supporters of Jagan) was burnt to the ground. It was part of a one-two combination to bring down the PPP.
The irony, of course, was that back in 1899, it was an American-sponsored initiative that put the Arbitral Commission in place. America was feeling its oats as a rising power and was ready to challenge Britain via its Monroe Doctrine and all that! So, if the Award were to be overturned in 1962, it would’ve been a slap in the (historical) face of the US. But who said there was any consistency in the affairs of nations?
As the US boasts, they have no permanent friends or permanent enemies – just permanent interests. Back in 1899, American interests were furthered when Britain agreed to the arbitration and the US was seen as “protecting” Latin America. In 1962, it was OK for Venezuela to create a controversy because this served America’s interests then.
After Jagan was thrown out in 1964, the US, of course, lost interest in the border controversy. The British arranged for the Geneva Agreement in 1965 – which NEVER made any mention of any adjustment of borders in a substantive manner. Venezuela agreed then in a two-pronged procedural process to simply pronounce on whether as alleged the 1899 award was “null and void” as they claimed. The first part involved direct negotiations – which fell apart.
The second prong placed the controversy in the lap of the UN Secretary General – who would suggest measures from the UN’s menu of measures on “the peaceful resolution of disputes”. This gentleman has agreed with Guyana that if his “good office” – in play since 1989 – doesn’t produce a settlement by this year end, then the controversy goes to the World Court.
And this is what Guyana also wants. The Venezuelans, unfortunately, want to keep the controversy hanging like the sword of Damocles over our heads!
Enough is enough!! Fortunately, this also suits America’s interests right now!! Oil, baby! Oil!!
…and race
Well, we all know Prezzie took up his “cuss-bird” PR person, Nicholas-Garrett, up to the Big Apple. The big question, of course, is “Why?” Can’t be because he had to fend off unwelcome elements around the UN building. Even though it’s 42nd St, it’s not by the garish and sleazy section filled with other cuss-birds near Broadway, but on the East Side of Manhattan which is pretty ritzy, if the truth be told. They hold their pinkie up when sipping tea over there!
But new info has surfaced suggesting Ms Nicholas-Garrett was trained by no other institution than the ERC in proper race relations etiquette right here in Guyana. So it’s clear that the PR flak “knew better” – she just didn’t put that knowledge into action when she was with her friends. And this explains why she’s up among the diplomats in NY – she knows how to play the game in public.
It’s like how those in Hollywood know how to “air kiss” without even touching!! Go girl!!
…and geography
The Chronic headlined, “Rice shipment to India being finalised”. Your Eyewitness was startled, to say the least. A local version of “sending coals to Newcastle”??
Or they have India on their mind, with Nagamootoo in charge??
