Latchman Singh - driver: ‘I believe that this matter should be approached in a diplomatic manner, because both Guyana and Suriname are in Caricom together. It is a very serious matter. When our map was drawn, it was done by the British and we have to stick to that. Further action must be taken by the Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally... We should also boycott Carifesta to let them know that we are serious in this matter. By protesting in this manner they would know that the matter is not going down so easily. This situation could put some strain on Guyana/Suriname relationships. It could even have economic effects. The Government should continue to try to find diplomatic solutions.’

Mark Luke-Edwards - ‘I think that there should be some geographic clarification because it stems from their wanting a piece of our land. Once our borders were established by the British, Suriname should desist from placing part of Guyana on their map. If they don’t, people in this country should take aggressive measures. It may start as a map issue and later on an invasion on the claimed territory may happen. We have to take aggressive measures now to stop it. This has been going on for some time now, and it seems as though is is not being sufficiently addressed if the issue still comes up. Regarding the boycott of Carifesta, we have to examine whether such a move will have any significant effect in this matter, whether it will bring attention, if not, we shouldn’t boycott. We should seek other ways of dealing with this problem.’

Leslyn Abrams - teacher: ‘They [Suriname] see us as being a weak nation. They are trying to penetrate us because they see that our attention is presently focused on crime and other problems which we face at the moment. We will fall if we stand divided on this issue. I believe that Suriname is too small a nation to show hostility towards us. If we stand united we can overpower them. I am calling on the Government to stand strong against this. No part of Guyana belongs to Suriname... The map of the world is what stands and this depicts Guyana as we know it. I do not think that a boycott of Carifesta is appropriate. We should be a part of it so we could demonstrate why Suriname is wrong in its claim. If we should boycott that would show how weak we are.’

Harold Bacchus - taxi driver: ‘I don’t think Suriname should get anything. They can’t be so covetous. With what is going on now anything is possible. The map [of Guyana] is the map. They can’t draw what they like. The Government must continue talks to come up with a solution. Without talks, nothing can be done. I don’t know much about Carifesta, but from common sense I know that we shouldn’t boycott it over this matter. We should deal straight up with the facts. Caricom is meant for the good of all parties but with this situation we cannot benefit.’

Benjamin Durant - driver: ‘We have to let them know that we are not giving away anything and they cannot come and take anything from us. The last time they tried that we licked them out and we can do it again. I think we should boycott Carifesta because of this. It is still too early for an armed response, but it is blatant eye-pass. If it gets to a stage where we would have to rebel, then we will have to rebel.’

Enoch Craig - trainee civil engineer: ‘That can’t be right. We claimed this land a long time ago and they can’t come and do this now. Suriname knows that the land is ours. It is probably because of the nation’s present instability that they have done this, to see how we would react. According to how we react they would know whether they could push us over with anything. Caricom is supposed to unite everyone, how come we fighting down one another for land? A boycott of Carifesta is not the answer. We must go and participate and mash them up as usual. If we boycott, it would show that we and them are on the same level.’

Carlotta Peters - chemist: ‘First of all, I thought the matter was settled before. I learnt of this new development on Thursday and I was shocked. I don’t think any country should sit and take that. I think that we should take the necessary legal action to have Suriname redraw their map so that ours is not misrepresented in the least. We should go to Carifesta to show that we are not like them. We don’t thrive on deceit as they do. Suriname should not have done this. However, this matter should have been settled once and for all so that it did not come up again.’

Patricia Bynoe - housewife: ‘We sit on this too long. This matter should have been attended to. Guyana should boycott Carifesta so as to protest against Suriname because our country is in total crisis right now and we have enough problems. This is our country and we must enjoy life here. That can’t happen if people are claiming what is ours. We are tied up right now with bandits and the economy.’

Cymone Dover - self employed: ‘Government should investigate more so that they could put a stop to Suriname claiming part of our country. We must make sure that Suriname stays on its side of the border and there is no movement. As a young person I would not like to see another country come in and make claims to part of our country or try in any way to take us over. Guyana should show resolve and be a part of Carifesta. Stronger measures than a simple boycott should be employed to deal with this problem.’