Venezuela's restatement of her claim to Essequibo
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
In the light of Venezuela's claim to the Essequibo region which accounts for three-fifths of Guyana's territory, we asked the man/woman-in-the-street what measures Guyana should take to protect its territorial integrity. Their views follow: Vibert Harte - senior education officer: "I believe the border issue is not a partisan one. It is a national issue and every patriotic Guyanese should get involved. We need to mobilise by way of education in every part of the country on Venezuela's scurrilous claim to our country's largest and richest county. Every day radio and television programmes must be pounding out the facts to our population. Even in the schools it must be taught. Children who are not yet born must come into the world knowing of Venezuela's claim and must renounce it. Calypsonians must sing about our Essequibo and renounce Venezuela's claim. In the PNC days an awareness programme was in effect. This must be resuscitated. The programme must be ongoing because as Venezuela's governments change office, some leaders will want to force the issue while others may not. At the international level we need to intensify our lobby for support against Venezuela's claim on the diplomatic front. I am certain that diplomats representing democratic governments would not want a part of their country annexed by a greedy neighbour and as such would support Guyana's cause." Kenneth Singh - labourer: "Guyana needs to appeal to the United Nations and all international organisations to assist in ensuring that Venezuela accepts the Paris Award. I would not want to die and leave my children and grandchildren insecure in the knowledge that Venezuela actually wants to rule Guyana, because in effect that is what it appears Venezuela wants. Venezuela's leaders need to be more responsible because if Venezuela is to raid Guyana's lands the possibility is that the peoples of both countries could suffer. Guyana's leaders too need to let our people understand the consequences of losing any part of the country to any of our neighbours. I think that now is the time that the matter be settled once and for all. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have to take diplomatic initiatives and lobby at the international level for countries which will back Guyana on the issue." Chris Franklin: "At the moment Guyana is racially divided and this issue should really bring people together. However, I believe that because of Venezuela's claim government should concentrate more development efforts in the Essequibo area. Foreign and local investors should be encouraged to develop Essequibo even if it means granting generous concessions. Instead of all the exorbitant prices government is quoting for housing it should give out lands freely for housing and agricultural purposes and let people develop them. If it remains underdeveloped, Venezuela will want to enforce its claim." Wendel Cuelho - self-employed: "This is God's land and as such Guyana needs to bring this problem before the Lord. We need to come together as a congregation before God. When man gives up, God does not as he is in control. We need to take this problem to God in prayers to seek solutions; to give our leaders wisdom and understanding to govern our country wisely. Then whatever strategies and initiatives we take would have God's blessings. I am a Christian but I believe that all Christians, Hindus and Muslims all need to pray for Guyana. From birth I knew that Essequibo is Guyana's. I want it to remain that way." Ray Ferreira - secondary school student: "I was born knowing that Essequibo is a part of Guyana and only lately learnt of Venezuela's claim which I think is based on nothing but greed. I really do not know much of the history of the issue but logic alone tells me that Essequibo is ours. Essequibians do not speak Spanish. Our people and cultures are all distinctly those of the people who have evolved as Guyanese. The Foreign Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Education should ensure that our history in respect to Venezuela's greedy claim are taught in schools, either as part of History, Geography or Social Studies." Angela Emmanuel: "Years ago when Forbes Burnham was alive Venezuela used its fighter jets to threaten Guyana. We do not have the technology to fight a physical war to protect our lands. We have the ability to lobby internationally and generate as much support and sympathy as we can for our cause and hopefully that will get Venezuela to back off. It is strange that after so many years and every so often in recent years Venezuela wants to claim Guyana's territory. It is a shame that it had to take Benny Hinn to say that apart from his crusade here in Guyana, Guyanese have not been as united on an issue since Independence. We need every Guyanese to understand that the protection of our homeland must be first and foremost in our minds. Even if a child is awakened in the middle of the night and asked, 'Who are you?', she must be able to say 'Guyanese'. This is our homeland. We are all second, third, fourth and fifth generation Guyanese except for Guyanese of Amerindian origin. Our pride and unity as Guyanese must give us strength." Leon Jaisingh - secondary school student: "It is time Venezuela left Guyana alone. And if it is true that Venezuela has Guyana as part of its map Guyana should not ignore this must but must work at all levels in the diplomatic community and on the international scene to have this corrected. Essequibo does not belong to Venezuela. And if Venezuela continues with its claim then I would say that country is not a good neighbour. On this issue we need a rallying point for all Guyanese, probably a song or an anthem in which we refute Venezuela's claim. This issue must also be brought into schools where it can be openly discussed among students." Bernadette Beaton - teacher: "I am an Essequibian by birth who thinks that Venezuela should back off and leave Essequibo alone. The song "Not a Blade of Grass" by Dave Martin should be back on the radio, on television reminding all and sundry that Guyana will not give up Essequibo. Every child must know to sing it from the time he or she starts to talk. Guyanese must know their land rights. If this has to be done by radio and television ads, pamphlets or whatever, it must be done. What has the UN Good Officer done about the issue since? I think that we should start lobbying the international community now for support. We need to get Guyanese from inside and outside of Guyana involved. Everybody must know what is going on. The same way they were on the border and overflying our airspace, the same way they could crawl into Guyana." Nigel Nestor - self-employed: "We need to educate our youths and children coming up about Venezuela's claim to Essequibo now. In Venezuela, they educate their youths that Essequibo belongs to them. This is not a matter of hysteria and our so-called friendly relations and neighbourliness with Venezuela must not be taken for granted... Essequibo, too, must not be left alone because we must not have Essequibians aiding Venezuela as spies and traitors or whatever. An education programme for all Guyanese with special focus on Essequibians must be put in place. Our diplomatic relations with Venezuela may be good now but it must not be taken for granted. As leaders come and go in Venezuela the more radical ones may not let the issue rest, the more sensible ones may. We need to intensify diplomatic initiatives at the UN and at all heads of governments meetings of nations of the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, CARICOM and other forums where Guyana has a voice. Guyana is a sovereign nation and we cannot allow Venezuela to violate our territorial integrity." Angel Persaud - University of Guyana student: "This issue should make all Guyanese unite especially with the Amerindians, the majority of whom live in Essequibo and Guyanese of other origin who have made Essequibo home. Apart from that I think that the leaders of both countries should have serious dialogue with each other and understand each other's position on the issue. We are backward in technology but we have strengths in other areas. On the international scene we should step up our diplomatic moves. We want peace, we don't want war."
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