General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and Vice President of Guyana Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has strongly condemned Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton for his refusal to support a landmark motion reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo region.
The motion, tabled on Friday last in the National Assembly by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, sought to reaffirm Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and support for the ongoing case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while condemning Venezuela’s planned “elections” for the Essequibo on May 25, and its defiance of binding ICJ orders.
However, Norton and members of the APNU+AFC coalition walked out of the debate, refusing to support the motion, which they claimed lacked enforceability.
According to Jagdeo, the Opposition Leader and members could have criticised anything they wanted in the motion. “Make your point” but nevertheless say “I will support the motion”, Jagdeo expressed.
The PPP General Secretary emphasised that historically, the Government and Opposition stood in solidarity on the issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, but lamented that now, Norton has broken that tradition.
The Vice President also debunked claims that the Opposition did not have an opportunity to contribute to the motion ahead of Friday’s debate.
He told reporters during his press conference today that a copy of the motion was sent to Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones on May 14.
Jagdeo further noted that the motion was then circulated by the Parliament Office on May 16 and the Opposition had until May 23 to request any amendments to the motion.
The Opposition has already been labelled by Prime Minister Mark Phillips as “unpatriotic” for its walkout and refusal to support the motion.
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