Venezuela border controversy: Govt, Opposition MPs working in unison for all Guyanese

– Edghill tells Reg 10 stakeholders

The Government of Guyana has taken its public awareness campaign to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and has engaged stakeholders there, including religious leaders, regional officials, the business community, women, and youths, on the Venezuela Border Controversy.
The initiative was spearheaded by Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, who on Friday evening assured the gathering that the Government was not being laid back, or taking this serious matter for granted, but is instead working in partnership with the Opposition Members of Parliament to lead well-thought-out intentional means to deal with this national issue.

He reminded everyone both sides have agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is of paramount importance, and that this is a matter on which all Guyanese are completely united. Both the Government and the Opposition have condemned the blatant violation of the rule of law by Venezuela, and have agreed that no effort should be spared to resist Venezuela’s persistent posture to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Minister Edghill has made it clear that Guyana is pursuing a path of peace, and is not out to have war with anybody.
“When you pursue a path of peace, you look for a mechanism where we could sit and dialogue and find answers and solutions,” he explained.

The Minister added that instead of waiting after a war to look for a resolution, Guyana has sought to find resolution and dialogue before any fighting has started.
“As far as we are concerned, we sat at the table and submitted ourselves to a tribunal way back then; and having heard our case, our borders with Venezuela were decided upon, and with the write up, it said it was ‘a full, perfect and final settlement’ of all the questions referred to the Arbitrators. And this was held up for more than 60 years,” he explained.
Edghill reiterated that, in addition to a path of peace, Guyana has also employed diplomacy, and is pursuing international law as well as engaging the country’s allies.
“The Vice-President, at his press conference, made it very clear that we are engaging our allies in the event of any eventuality; and that is all we will say,” Edghill declared.
Reiterating his call for persons to stop fearmongering, Edghill urged those gathered to seek information on this matter only from official channels.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs in the region were not part of the meeting.
The 1899 Arbitral Award, which definitively settled the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, was the result of a legitimate process that was set in train in 1897. The 1899 Award was also accepted by both parties for nearly sixty-three years.