Guyana/Brazil boundary markers discussions proceeding well -Insanally
Stabroek News
November 2, 2002
The process of restoring displaced markers on the Guyana/Brazil border will be based on the recommendations of a joint boundary inspection and could be very important to Guyana's overall border position at the tri-junction point (Guyana/Brazil/ Venezuela).
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally, briefing the media on his recent visits to Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela, discussions on this issue have been progressing satisfactorily and would continue at a meeting to be held in Belem between officials of the two countries.
Insanally was in Brazil at the invitation of Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Lafer and this was his first visit as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He said the talks covered a wide agenda including security matters in the Guianas, Brazil, Venezuela; the problem of drug trafficking and how the countries could strengthen their cooperation.
On the two countries' cooperation under the umbrella of the Amazonian Treaty, Insanally said it is expected that they will make new headway, with Brazil serving as the location for the treaty's full-time secretariat. At the ministerial level meeting of members of the treaty, which will be held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia soon, it is expected that an agreement will be reached for Brazil to host the secretariat.
In relation to a discussion on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), he said Guyana put to Brazil the position of CARICOM countries that unless they have special and differential treatment and some type of regional development fund they cannot really benefit from the association of the FTAA.
In this context Insanally delivered an address `Small states on a sea of change - the challenges of the new era to CARICOM states' at the Rio Branco Institute which he said was a good forum in which CARICOM was able to win a lot of sympathy for the problems being experienced in the Caribbean.
The success of the visit, he said resulted in the two countries signing a memorandum of understanding that would provide for political and economic consultation regularly on a regional basis.
On other issues, Insanally said that discussions were also held on creating facilities at Bon Fin and Lethem to improve the customs and immigration services on the border.
The new consulate in Boa Vista, he said, is scheduled for a November 15 opening and he may attend it.
Additionally, he said that Guyana and Brazil established in Brasilia a friendship society, which is intended to improve and enhance Guyana's image throughout Brazil and is expected to be an important auxiliary of the Guyana mission in Brazil. Brazil's Ambassador to Guyana Ney do Prado Dieguez accompanied Insanally to Brazil.