By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana government is satisfied with the response from the United States of America as it relates to Venezuela’s continued aggression towards Guyana and the country’s attempt to claim more than 2/3 of Guyana’s territory.
Since the conflict between Guyana and Venezuela was raised just over a month ago, the US has not publicly made its position known on the issue despite a US company – ExxonMobil – being in the controversial area.
“We stand with the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil as they work together to extract natural resources in a responsible manner that protects the environment,” US Charge d’ Affaires Bryan Hunt said while addressing a gathering at the celebration of the 239th on July 2.
When questioned by media operatives on Monday, July 13, Vice President Carl Greenidge made it clear that the government is satisfied with the US’ response to the situation that has taken relations between Guyana/Venezuela to a new low.
“I am not unhappy with the US position,” said Greenidge when questioned by iNews. Former Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr Odeen Ishmael had pointed out the uncanny silence from the US on this issue noting that the Guyana government should initiate a “comprehensive dialogue with the USA.”
“Guyana must, in its diplomatic communication with the United States authorities, urge that government’s influence on Venezuela to withdraw its claim to Guyana’s territory. At the same time, Guyana should request the United States to declare its unqualified support for respect for international treaties and the sanctity of borders,” said Ishmael.
He indicated that if Guyana is not able to convince the American government of the validity of the Guyana position, then at least the American government can be made aware that its “legitimate” security concerns and strategy in the region run the risk of heightening tensions at other regional levels.
“Such tensions can foster among smaller regional states the very insecurity which the US strives to avoid. There exist in the hemisphere numerous bilateral boundary problems, and the US should not be insensitive to such a demarche, especially when articulated against the background its own close relations with Caricom. It must be emphasised to US officials that Guyana’s economic development is being directly frustrated by Venezuelan aggressive activities manifested in international economic for a — activities which run directly counter to the American plan to promote economic growth in the Caribbean Basin,” said the Former Ambassador.
He said apart from speaking with the US administration officials, conversations must be initiated with influential members of the US Congress, especially with committee members dealing with the Western Hemisphere, and with those who frame public opinion in the USA.
