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The Alliance For Change is acknowledging the contributions of all sides in the hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy at the International Court of Jurist (ICJ). The hearing was held at The Hague, the seat of the Court, from Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 November 2022,
In acknowledging the work done, Chairperson, Cathy Hughes, says the AFC wishes to place on record, its commendation and appreciation, for the work of the ‘Guyana Team’ as arguments were presented at the landmark hearing of Guyana’s case for a full and final determination of the controversy that has doggedly persisted for decades.
Speaking at the press conference on Friday Hughes notes the absence of political partisanship, colour or persuasion, stating how gratifying it was to see former Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge presenting an erudite statement as Guyana’s Agent, standing alongside Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC, and Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira.
The camaraderie Hughes says sent a powerful message of ‘unity of purpose’ that the Guyanese people have been longing for – not just on this matter, but on major domestic issues as well.
“The nation will recall that in December of 2018, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Carl Greenidge, explained to the National Assembly, the intricate link between Guyana’s tedious and studied preparation for its approach to the ICJ to settle the controversy, and the ‘special’ intent and use of the ‘signature bonus’ paid by Exxon Mobil to cover these costs.”
Last week was a representation of what Guyana could be as Guyanese witnessed the budding fruits of preparation in the brilliance of the legal experts, and the level of commitment and presentation of the entire Guyana team, she observes.
“Today, even though not the end of the endeavour, we can take a moment to recognise the efforts of Guyana’s past and present Foreign Ministers and Advisors, and the more recent work of former President David Granger, Mr. Carl Greenidge and Sir Shridath Ramphal, in initiating the process of getting us to this critical point.”
