Guyana supports constitutional efforts to solve Venezuela impasse -Insanally
Stabroek News
January 26, 2003
Guyana is hopeful that various efforts now underway to resolve the political impasse in Venezuela will be successful while staying within the framework of the country’s constitution.
Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally briefing reporters at his Takuba Lodge office on Wednesday said the government supported the initiative of Cesar Gaviria, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States supported by six nations known as the Group of Friends.
A strike by opponents of President Hugo Chavez has crippled the oil industry and the wider economy and is now into its eighth week.
Insanally said that the government also welcomed the intervention of former US President Jimmy Carter who, in one of two proposals, has put on the table a plan for holding a referendum in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution.
“These efforts should help to facilitate a resolution of the impasse,” he said.
“Like other countries Guyana is very anxious to see whatever peaceful means is suggested is respectful of the constitution and does not embrace extra-constitutional action.” He observed that such action would set a very bad precedent for the region.
Meanwhile, Insanally told Stabroek News that he has had no requests for assistance from the Guyanese community in Venezuela, including those living outside of Caracas. However, he said that like the other residents in Caracas, the staff at the mission was encountering the same inconveniences although they seemed to be managing.
“We are suffering from the same constraints that affect the whole society. Communication is very difficult as is the movement of our staff between the chancery and residence; the supply of fuel is very scarce as are foodstuffs.”
Insanally paid tribute to Guyana’s ambassador there, Bayney Karran and his staff for carrying on during a very difficult period.
He said the CARICOM ambassadors in Venezuela were in constant consultations and were monitoring the situation. The CARICOM Heads will also discuss the issue when they meet in Trinidad and Tobago next month.
Meanwhile, Insanally said the visit of his Venezuelan counterpart Roy Chaderton was still on as he had had no information to the contrary. The visit is in response to an invitation Insanally extended when he visited Caracas last year.
About relations with Venezuela, Insanally said that the two sides would continue to use the UN Good Officer Process as a means of identifying a mutually agreed mechanism for resolving the decades old border controversy. Insanally said that despite the seriousness of the situation in Venezuela, the government had not considered issuing a travel advisory warning Guyanese not to travel there. He said the issue of such an advisory was a very serious step.
