Guyana to establish new National Border Institute

* Odeen Ishmael, Rudy Insanally among others earmarked for membership

By Devina Samaroo

Distinguished Guyanese Diplomats Dr Odeen Ishmael and Dr Rudy Insanally are among those being considered to be a part of the soon-to-be established broad-based agency to deal with the country’s border matters.

State Minister Joseph Harmon on Thursday at the post-cabinet press briefing announced that a decision was taken to set up the body of experts after a proposal was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge.

Dr Rudy Insanally

The National Border Institute will provide advice and ideas on border related matters, and will also serve as a research organisation aimed at solving complex problems and crafting plans for future developments.

“(The Institute) will enable research to ensure the maintenance of Guyana’s territorial integrity as well as to discuss issues relating to our air space and continental shelf…This is a very important matter because the border institute is the repository of all documents, maps, charts and so on that has to do with the territorial integrity issues,” Harmon explained.

Some of these territorial issues include the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and the Guyana/Suriname border dispute.

The National Border Institute will be a semi-autonomous body governed by a board of directors and will initially be chaired by the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Members of the board will be selected from relevant stakeholder organisations such as the Attorney General Chambers, GDF, National Archives, University of Guyana, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Guyana Lands and Surveys, and the Maritime Administration Department, following extensive consultations.

“All Guyanese who have some input to make, we will look forward to that,” the State Minister expressed.

The minister noted that government will move to the National Assembly to seek approval of expenditure to establish the organisation, however he could not disclose an estimated figure on the undertaking.

Dr Odeen Ishmael

Meanwhile, Dr Ishmael is most notable for his service as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela and Dr Insanally for his role as Foreign Affairs Minister of Guyana.

Dr Ishmael retired from the diplomatic service in June 2014 after last serving as Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait.

He also served as ambassador to the United States and Qatar as well as Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Dr Insanally has been Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 1987.

He was also Counsellor to Guyana’s Embassy to the United States and Guyana’s Charge D’affaires and subsequently Ambassador in Venezuela.

Both individuals have developed respected careers in the Foreign Service.

(Guyana Times)