The Guyana Government wants the British and US governments to take the position that the 1899 arbitral award was a full and final settlement of the boundary with Venezuela.
Stabroek News
July 2, 2001
During his visit last week to the UK, President Bharrat Jagdeo raised the issue of Guyana's border problems with the British government.
He told reporters yesterday at an Office of the President press conference that he asked that the British government take a position on the award which settled the border as a full and final settlement. It was only prior to Guyana's independence that Venezuela later questioned the award and restated its claim to Essequibo.
Jagdeo said he has also written the US government on the issue considering that both countries had been involved in the process that led up to the award.
The President said he conferred with new British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw and urged that the UK government adopt a position on this issue. He was informed that the UK would have to seek legal advice on the matter.
Guyana has also asked the British government for a helping hand in putting together historical data as it relates to the Venezuela controversy and the Suriname dispute.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Rudy Insanally has just returned from Suriname where he laid the groundwork for a state visit by Jagdeo later this year.
The eviction by Suriname of the CGX oil rig from Guyana's waters last year is expected to be the subject of discussions during this visit.