PSC hails UN referral of Guyana/Venezuela border controversy to ICJ

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is lauding the decision made by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to send the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for adjudication.
The body noted in a statement on Friday that referral of the controversy to the ICJ represents an opportunity to free Guyana of impediments to achieving its full potential. This is a reference to Guyana’s oil reserves which oil gain ExxonMobil discovered while exploring the Stabroek Block.

“In 1962, Venezuela laid claim to a major portion of Guyana’s territory on the ground that the 1899 Arbitral Award which delineated Guyana’s borders (with Venezuela) was null and void. Successive Governments of Guyana have since sought steadfastly to peacefully resolve this dispute, and, for the last twenty-seven years, have relied upon the United Nations Good Offices process.
“The announcement that the matter will finally be referred to the International Court of Justice is long awaited and most welcome. It is only appropriate that a dispute which hinges upon a claim that a legal judgement is invalid should be resolved through a legal process,” the PSC has added. “The Private Sector Commission stands firmly behind the Government of Guyana in all matters relating to the sovereignty of Guyana.”
On Tuesday, the UN moved to send the on-going border controversy between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela to the ICJ — a move which Guyana has long been calling for. According to the UN’s Spokesperson on the issue, Stephane Dujarric, the decision came after careful analysis of the good offices process.
Dujarric explained in a statement that enough progress has not been made towards a solution to the controversy. As a result, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has referred the matter to the ICJ. This is in accordance with the framework left by his predecessor, Ban Ki-moon.
However, Guterres did not rule out the continued Good Offices process of the UN to complement court proceedings, and has also committed to accompanying both Guyana and Venezuela in the bid to settle their differences.

Welcome move
In an address to the nation on the issue, President David Granger has welcomed the Guterres decision to refer the matter to the World Court. According to Granger, “Guyana remains confident in the correctness of its case, (and) looks forward to the reaffirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award before the (ICJ).”
The Head of State reminded that Guyana’s position has always been that the basis of the controversy is a legal question, and should be resolved peacefully and conclusively through a legal process.
“Guyana will pursue the path ahead in furtherance of the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity with quiet confidence and with the assurance in ever improving relations with its neighbours: Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela,” he added.
However, Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro has since said publicly that his Government did not agree with the decision, and that continued negotiations would have been preferable. It is understood that now that the matter has been referred to the ICJ, this referral is not contingent on Venezuela’s agreement.
In a previous statement on the matter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had noted that this referral does not require Venezuela’s approval beyond what is allotted in the 1966 Geneva agreement.
Guyana will now have to procure international lawyers to present its case on the international front.