…as Heads of Missions conference concludes
Guyana’s 17th Heads of Missions Conference (HOMC) has drawn to a close. A number of topical issues pertaining to Guyana’s representation abroad were discussed during this conference, and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has said the exercise may very well become an annual one.
The issue of Venezuela was also a topic of discussion. Venezuela has staunchly been against Guyana exploring for oil in the Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits have been found by ExxonMobil. Last month, Venezuela’s National Assembly approved an agreement to reject those oil exploration activities.
Following attempts by a March 28 Permanent Council meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to advance discussions on the mounting internal problems afflicting Venezuela, Minister Greenidge also affirmed Guyana’s support for the OAS attempts to engage in discussion about Venezuela.
“We are aware, and (Guyana’s) Mission in Washington has been closely engaged in that exercise. Indeed, within the OAS, Ambassador Riyad Insanally chairs the Caribbean Group. So we are very close to that,” Greenidge stated during a press conference on Friday to mark the conclusion of the HOMC.
“Our views are that, as a member of the OAS, one has to accept that (when) you’re in a position where a matter affecting the fundamental principles the OAS Charter contains, (it) is a legitimate matter for discussion at the OAS,” Minister Greenidge said. “So we are in support of the appropriateness for important and sensitive matters to be discussed by the OAS Grouping itself, and for countries to be in a position to give their views on this matter. That is the position of Guyana,” Greenidge explained.
For his part, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Dr Riyad Insanally, reported a division within the OAS States. He noted that countries such as Guyana approached the matter based on principles of respect for sovereignty, human rights and the democratic process.
“The essential problem is how to try and get the Venezuelan Government to accept that the desired solution is one based on dialogue. We’re trying to take a measured approach to the situation, which will take some time,” he explained. “Unfortunately, the reports coming out of Caracas are that the situation is getting tenser politically, and this is something we will continue to watch closely,” he added.
While Dr Insanally noted that the premise of the OAS was to resolve disputes like this one through dialogue, he added that the OAS was also supposed to be all-inclusive in its approach. “And if (Venezuela is) not at the table, it’s very difficult to arrive at a solution. So the situation is a very delicate one.”
Insanally said Venezuela was staunchly against efforts to have the country’s internal conflict discussed at a subsequent meeting.
HOMC
Commenting on the premise of the HOMC, Greenidge noted that while all the heads of missions were well equipped academically and had experience in their respective fields, only three were experienced in Guyana’s Foreign Service; hence it was important for meetings to ensure the team was on the same page.
“The programme has been an extensive one. Part of our challenge and the reason for this exercise is to engineer team-building in foreign policy. We’ve covered a range of issues; they started off with foreign economic policy, the national interest, bilateral US, UK, China; as well as the multilateral forum. We also did some work on institutional arrangements,” he declared.
