The retarding of development in the Caribbean due to existing border problems came into focus at the Third Caribbean/United Kingdom (UK) forum, which ended yesterday in Georgetown.

Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally said yesterday at the end of the forum the impact of border problems on development was reviewed.

He said the forum discussed the situation that existed between Guyana and Venezuela and that of Belize and Guatemala. He pointed out that such issues required expertise in specific areas such as knowledge of maritime delimitation.

"My appreciation was that the [UK] Secretary of State [Jack Straw] was very receptive to our request in providing assistance, for example in [the provision of] archival materials and also training in certain areas."

Straw told reporters on the second day of the three-day caucus that the UK supported Guyana's position in the border controversy with Venezuela and its territorial dispute with Suriname.

However, he said that such issues were best dealt with at the diplomatic level. He added that the matter of the UK's assistance with the border issues was raised at two meetings he had with President Bharrat Jagdeo and it would continue to be discussed.