Foreign Ministry flays Caracas over Beal, oil search statements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday signalled its strong opposition to any attempt by Venezuela to undermine Guyana's economy by hindering investment possibilities. It also condemned Venezuela's intention to grant concessions in an area which Guyana considers its territory and in which it had been granting exploratory licences since 1958. The statement also described as misinformed concerns in Caracas that the planned Beal rocket launching site would be used as a military base. "There is no provision in the agreement with Beal Launch Services for troops from the United States of America or any other foreign country at the space launch facility." Venezuela has vowed to block the Beal deal. The Foreign Affairs Ministry statement said that the blatant interference by Caracas on the investment deal "is not only in breach of the existing (UN) Good Officer mechanism aimed at reaching an amicable solution to the controversy with Venezuela, but is also repugnant to the spirit and intent of Guyana's efforts over the years to settle the controversy". President Bharrat Jagdeo at a press briefing on Friday also reiterated that the agreement did not provide for any troops from a foreign country being stationed at the Beal Launch site. With regard to Venezuela's stated intention of issuing petroleum exploration licences in Guyana's territory, the Foreign Ministry statement noted that "the Government of Guyana sees no basis for Venezuela's threats to grant concessions in the same area and for that country to use its navy to facilitate such activity." It said too that "Venezuela's action to heighten its naval presence in the offshore area with a view to establishing a claim to that area is in blatant contravention of international law". The statement also cited Article 74 of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention which exhorts states which disagree on their maritime boundaries "to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature" while they seek to resolve their differences. The arrangements into which they enter would be without prejudice to the final settlement of the dispute. It also reiterated the Guyana government's commitment despite the threats of aggression being perpetrated against Guyana, "to the peaceful and satisfactory solution of the controversy with Venezuela currently under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary General." Also it said that Guyana "remains committed to the further deepening and strengthening of its relations with Venezuela under the aegis of the High Level Bilateral Commission." The Foreign Ministry statement is in addition to the diplomatic note which the Government has sent to Caracas and its invitation to the UN Good Officer, Sir Oliver Jackman, to visit Guyana to discuss the latest developments in Guyana-Venezuela relations and letters to Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, and CARICOM chairman, Sir James Mitchell, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, informing them of the developments in the border controversy with Venezuela.
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