by Gordon Moseley at the UN General Assembly in New York

President David Granger on Saturday brushed aside advice from Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo that he must make himself available to hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the UN General Assembly.

Speaking to News Source at the Guyana UN Mission Office in Manhattan, President Granger said “Mr. Jagdeo knows very well that this controversy has persisted for over 50 years and Venezuela has been told everything it needs to be told by the Guyana government. So I don’t see that we should make any further appeasement and I don’t think we are behaving in any incorrect manner.

At a press conference in Georgetown on Friday, the Opposition Leader said the President needs to make himself available to participate in the UN organised talks with the President of Venezuela. Jadgeo said he believes that dialogue is the best way forward and arrogance should not stand in the way of such dialogue.

But the President may not be open to advice from Jagdeo on the Venezuelan issue especially since Jagdeo was the longest-serving Guyanese President and the problem with Venezuela still exists.

“Mr. Jagdeo had his opportunity to resolve the conflict and we are still in difficulties, so I don’t know that his recommendation is likely to contribute to a successful outcome for the Guyanese people”, President Granger said.

The President maintains that the best way to deal with the Venezuelan controversy is through a judicial process.

He told News Source that when he meets with the UN Secretary General he will make that position clear.

“I don’t have a message for Mr. Maduro. My message will be for Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, that it is his duty now and responsibility to identify the way forward”, the President noted.

He added that Guyana and Venezuela have been speaking for over 50 years on the issue under the Geneva agreement and an exhausted Good Officer’s Process has not offered any help.

The Venezuelan President has offered to meet with President Granger on Sunday at the United Nations General Assembly through UN facilitated talks. It remains unclear whether President Granger will take up the offer.

Coverage of the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations comes to you with the compliments of Fly Jamaica Airways and Star Party Rentals. 

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