The AFC Urges Caution In Proposed Talks With Venezuela
The AFC notes the announcement by the Office of the President of an imminent meeting with the President of Venezuela. We observe that the meeting will be held in the multilateral context of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC). We acknowledge the revelation that the President has ruled out any possibility of the border controversy being on the agenda of the meeting. We note, however, the caption enclosed in the letter on the meeting sent to both the President of Guyana and the President of Venezuela. It clearly indicates: '...matters consequential to the border controversy. In consideration of the foregoing, the AFC wishes to posit the following questions: 1. What is on the agenda for the meeting? Is the meeting's agenda approved? If so, what are the agenda items? Are the Venezuelans clear that the meeting will not include the border controversy? Guyana has always, and must continue to, clothe herself in the armor of international law and international institutions, including the United Nations, regarding our territorial integrity. Any dangerous venture into bilateral discussions, which Venezuela has always sought to pressure Guyana into, tramples on decades of skilled diplomacy executed by successive Guyanese governments. Guyana has always and will continue to promote peace and stability in the region. The very existence of this meeting, outside of the halls of the ICJ, could constitute a victory for ...
