"Venezuela should not be allowed to have Essequibo"
Residents in the Cinderella County speak out at sabre-rattling across the border

by Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
October 13, 1999

VENEZUELA recently reiterated its claim to two-thirds of Guyana on the grounds that the 1899 Arbitral Award is "null and void".

In a statement to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the contested agreement, Venezuela charged that it had been "illegally stripped" of the 61,000 square mile or 158,000 square kilometre Essequibo area of tropical jungle rich in precious minerals such as gold and diamonds.

The dispute over rights to the territory dates back to the last century when Britain, then the colonial power in British Guiana, and Venezuela began arguing over the area in dispute.

Yesterday, the Chronicle sought comments from prominent and other residents in Essequibo on the issue.

Here is what they said:

Steve Hemraj, Chief Executive Officer, Alfro Group of Companies, Charity:

"I read about the issue and to think of it, no Essequibian would like the idea of hearing Venezuela coming here. We Essequibians are small manufacturers here in Guyana compared to those in Venezuela, who by far are more developed and in a developed country.

"Should they take over Essequibo as they want, it will definitely have an effect on our development, as all of our plans are already set to build Guyana.

"Ever since we were born we were told that we are Guyanese and not Venezuelans. As such, we know this land as no other than part of Guyana and it should remain as such."

Bernard Parkes - speedboat owner (Pomeroon River)

"Venezuela should not be allowed to have Essequibo. Although they have been claiming this part of the country for some time, they, never-the-less, have existed without it for all these years, so why should they get it?

"Furthermore, Essequibo is ours, this is my native land, my foundation and should Venezuela be given it this will mean that I and many of us may have to remove. Nobody knows what will happen, so we should not encourage this kind of thing.

"I feel that the Guyana Government should hold out and not give in easily to their claims."

Resident: "It is a very ticklish issue which should be handled carefully at the diplomatic level."

Resident: "I express the fear that the way the negotiations are being managed, one day we will wake up and see the Venezuelans outside our doors.

"I call upon the Government to intensify every effort at mobilising international support for the just cause of our protecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"It is obvious that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would need to recruit persons with the competence to deal with a matter as complex as the one at hand."

Prabulall - Information Officer:

"I feel that Venezuela is desperately trying to get Essequibo, but we Essequibians must stand very firmly because we know that Essequibo belongs to all of us Guyanese.

"I feel, too, that because there is so much development taking place now, drilling for oil, the hydro-project, and better roads, just to name a few, the Venezuelans are of the view that the time is now ripe for them to pursue their claim.

"According to reports circulating on the Coast, and to which I can attest, as it happened to two cousins of mine, authorities in Venezuela are now asking visitors to produce their birth certificates to determine whether their place of birth is in Essequibo.

"If you are Essequibian, you have easy access, if not, you're in for some trouble.

"At present, my church is praying for God's intervention and that there be no invasion."

Vishnu Samaroo - Regional Vice Chairman: "If Venezuela should proceed to lay claims on Essequibo and if they succeed, then they will be stripping Guyana of most of its material resources and agricultural lands.

"I feel therefore, that all Guyanese will lose and that all Guyanese must be united on this issue, irrespective of their political, racial or cultural persuasion.

"However, I am very confident and optimistic that Guyana will retain Essequibo, and it will be a part of Guyana forever, and that our government is working assiduously to solve this issue.

"I am pleased to know that the Government of Guyana and Venezuela are contemplating to resolve the issue through the United Nations."

Ali Baksh, Regional Chairman: "People in the Region are going about their daily work as usual. There is no big anxiety either of them being supportive of any idea by Venezuela, or as to whether they prefer being Guyanese."

A © page from:
Guyana: Land of Six Peoples