By Svetlana Marshall

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton has indicated that he was briefed by President Irfaan Ali on the upcoming meeting with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. However, he stated that it is the Opposition’s expectation that the meeting will focus on the maintenance of peace within the region, and the de-escalation of tension between the two countries.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, the Opposition Leader said while the Opposition is in support of the meeting, it would like to see the meeting’s agenda ahead of Thursday.

 “We would like to see a clear agenda before the meeting. I believe that it is in the interest of the people of Guyana, not the PPP, not the APNU+AFC but the people of Guyana to have a clear agenda moving forward, so that when we arrive for discussion there is little or no scope to bring anything in that isn’t part of it – [the agenda],” the Opposition Leader told the House.

Mr. Norton made it clear that while the Opposition is in support of “dialogue,” there should be no discussion or compromise on the Essequibo Region and or the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

 “I want to remind this House that we were at the forefront of saying there could and must be dialogue but not on the Guyana/Venezuela territorial controversy,” Norton told the 65-Member National Assembly.

He said the Opposition’s position is consistent with the November 6 Resolution, which not only reaffirmed the country’s recognition of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, but also addressed the importance of offering support to the Government in its pursuit of a peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy before the ICJ.

He said the Assembly, through the resolution, rejected the proposal that Guyana should entertain further dialogue with Venezuela on the controversy outside of the process currently before the ICJ.

Norton said the Opposition fully supports the sentiments expressed by Guyana’s Co-Agent in the Border Controversy Case before the ICJ, and former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, who in a statement on Monday, said it is important that the limits of the talks in St Vincent and the Grenadines are understood, warning that “false expectations should not be encouraged.”

The region’s elder statesman said the push by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to have the South American leaders meet amid rising tenson, was not intended to discuss the controversy over the Guyana’s Essequibo Region.

Iterating that there was no call for any discussion on the controversy over the Essequibo Region, the Opposition Leader said he looks forward to a peaceful outcome.

“We believe that there is a place for dialogue but like we said, we hope that at the end of this summit, there is the movement in the direction of peace and the de-escalation of conflict but we do not compromise our position on the Guyana/Venezuela territorial question,” the Opposition Leader maintained.

He warned that if the controversy is discussed during Thursday’s meeting, it would be a breach of the common agreement, and the Opposition will not support such an outcome.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, while providing the Assembly with an update on the controversy and increased aggression by Venezuela against Guyana, assured the House that Thursday’s high-level meeting is intended to ensure the maintenance of peace within the region, the respect for international law, and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.

He made it clear that there will be no compromise on the case before the ICJ.

“Mr Speaker let me reiterate, Guyana will not be engaging in any dialogue with Venezuela on the settlement of the controversy that has been brought about by Venezuela’s claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void. As explained, the method has been tried, tested and has proved to be futile. It is now before the International Court of Justice which allows both sides to present their case. Guyana is prepared to speak with Venezuela on any other aspect that may contribute to repairing the relationship between the two countries,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

The Prime Minister said Venezuela has already violated the ICJ’s December 1 order, which mandated the Spanish speaking country to refrain from taking any action that would disrupt the status quo in the Essequibo Region and or aggravate the situation.

The Prime Minister said Guyana continues to abide by the orders of the Court.

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