Pres. Chavez brings olive branch, proposes 'true unity' with Guyana
By Shirley Thomas
Guyana Chronicle
February 20, 2004
President of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Hugo Raphael Chavez Frias, yesterday made his first official visit to Guyana, bringing with him the proverbial 'olive branch'.
Addressing citizens at a Civic Reception held in his honour at the Promenade Gardens, the Venezuelan Head of State who spoke through an interpreter made it clear that he had come to Guyana to make a proposal about "true unity between Guyana and Venezuela."
Speaking from the band stand in the Promenade Gardens, President Chavez made this heart warming revelation, as he unveiled plans and outlined a number of measures he has in mind for strengthening the relations between Guyana and Venezuela which in the past have faced somewhat strained relations over border and marine resources.
President Chavez, first thanking God for being able to make the visit, stood confidently at the podium and asserted: "We've come to make a proposal to the people of Guyana ... the brother country of Guyana, the government .. the brother working class people of Guyana...'
Naming other categories such as the politicians, academicians, teachers, youth, fishermen, President Chavez made it pellucidly clear: "We've come to make a proposal to everyone about unity - true unity between Venezuela and Guyana ... real integration between our people.
He said his Government has resolved to move on as quickly as possible, over the next few months, in order to quicken and strengthen the relations between the two countries.
President Chavez disclosed that his Government already has the first part of a budget to build a roadway, which will link Venezuela to Georgetown. He said that into the framework of this physical infrastructure will be included Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. "We want to unite, because we feel that we have a great potential," President Chavez affirmed. Outlining the benefits of the communication link, he said it will offer Guyanese direct access to the Caribbean.
And on the question of marine resources, visiting Head of State said that there is need for Venezuelan and Guyanese fishermen to come together so that they can do what they do more efficiently.
He also alluded to obstacles impeding the supply of petroleum from Venezuela to Guyana, and reiterated the importance of energy for the development of countries.
And stating that he wished his visit to Guyana to be recorded as an historic one, President Chavez reiterated: "And it will be recorded in history, because from today we will be initiating a new era in history between Guyana and Venezuela." This statement was accompanied by optimistic applause.
The President urged that, as from today both Guyana and Venezuela must put to work all their creative capacities... so that the two can truly unite, leaving behind - old complexities, heritages of the old empire.
President Chavez expressed his appreciation to President Jagdeo for inviting him to Guyana, to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for the confidence he had shown in him, to Mayor Green for the beautiful key to the city of Georgetown, and to all Guyana for the affection conveyed to him.