Brazil to set up consulate in Lethem
By Chamanlall Naipaul
Guyana Chronicle
November 1, 2003
The Government of Guyana has agreed to a request by the Brazilian Government to set up a Consulate in Lethem.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, made the announcement at his weekly news conference yesterday, recalling that the Brazilian Government had earlier requested to establish an honorary consulate. However, because of heightened activities between the two South American neighbours, a further request was made to have a full consulate established.
The charming ‘Buxton Spice’ Pageant contestants pose for this Cullen Bess Nelson photo with U.S. Embassy Military Attache, Kip Chojnacki at yesterday’s opening of the three-day community fair at Buxton. See story on center.
The charming ‘Buxton Spice’ Pageant contestants pose for this Cullen Bess Nelson photo with U.S. Embassy Military Attache, Kip Chojnacki at yesterday’s opening of the three-day community fair at Buxton. See story on center.
Dr. Luncheon noted that this development must be seen in the context of the two countries intensifying relations on several fronts and entering into agreements in a number of areas, including land cargo transport, agriculture, law enforcement, natural resources and the environment among others.
He recalled that the move to establish the Consulate is a reciprocal one with Guyana earlier setting up an Honorary Consulate in the neighbouring Brazilian State of Roraima.
Replying to a question of Brazilian vehicles driving illegally on the roads of Guyana, which Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has reportedly alluded to, the HPS said, because of the resent state of relations between the two countries and a number of agreements to in principle, but may not have been formalized, there has been some flexibility on both sides as regards allowing vehicles into each other's territory up to specific points.
Guyana and Brazil has concluded an agreement on international road transport for the passage of goods and passengers between the two South American neighbours.
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee signed the agreement earlier this year on behalf of the Government of Guyana during a visit earlier this year to Brazil as part of the lobbying delegation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
He said as soon as the requisite legislation and legal orders come into effect on both sides of the border, the very important road link will be recognized as an international highway and will facilitate the unhindered movement of goods and people to and from the neghbours. Hitherto, this movement was restricted because of the regulations existing in Brazil, and the conclusion of the agreement will see those restrictions and legal hindrances removed.
"While in Brazil I took the opportunity to sign the International Road Transport Agreement on the movement for passenger and goods between Brazil and Guyana. This is a very important agreement because it is linked to the road between Guyana and Brazil, and the construction of the bridge across the Takutu River. In other words, as the situation stands now, goods and passengers moving on that road will not be granted certain benefits and certain rights, until this agreement is really put in place. The agreement is the first step, the next step is for the subject minister, namely Home Affairs to issue a number of orders to ensure that the implementation of this agreement is in place," Rohee reported.