Suriname map stunt is 'rank eye pass'
-says PNCR's Trotman
Stabroek News
March 15, 2003
Central executive member of the PNCR, Raphael Trotman says the latest move by Suriname to print a map showing their ownership of the New River Triangle is as a result of the government's failure to address the issue at the bilateral level.
Trotman was at the time speaking at the party's weekly press conference on Thursday. He described the Surinamese claim as "rank eye pass," adding that the government had allowed relations to degenerate to the point where bilateral negotiations could not solve the differences.
He said it appeared that the government was unwilling or incapable of doing what was necessary by allowing Suriname to publicly issue maps claiming part of Guyana's territory.
The Foreign Ministry has made a formal complaint on the issue and in a press release on Wednesday made it clear that the area which is situated in the Upper Corentyne was and would always be an integral part of Guyana's territory. Suriname had circulated a note recently to diplomatic missions in Paramaribo requesting that they recognise a map of Suriname which included the New River Triangle as part of that country's territory.
Trotman reminded reporters that Suriname had previously circulated such a map on the Suriname Airways ticket cover.
Trotman referred to the Surinamese eviction of the Canadian oil Company CGX Energy Incorporated which was exploring offshore Guyana. However, he said, "all is not lost; there is always a place for diplomacy and the PNCR would be willing to support any initiative once it is informed by the best minds and the best strategies which would bring about a resolution to the problem."
And he said the PNCR had no difficulty with persons within its ranks forming part of the team to address the issue. "Our party had done so before when it was asked to join as parliamentarians with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the border issue."
Meanwhile, Clarissa Riehl, another central executive member, added that Suriname had circulated documents claiming Guyana's territory before in Caribbean diaries. She said at that time parliamentarians had torn out the pages which supported the claim.
Riehl said the government should have addressed it once and for all at that time.
