HEARINGS on the longstanding Guyana/Suriname border dispute, at the International Court in Washingston, D.C., are scheduled to begin December 7 and the legal team representing this country is prepared for the oral pleadings, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.
According to GINA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Rudy Insanally said: “Our preparations are well advanced; we are ready.”
He said the legal representatives have assured that they are prepared and that consultations are taking place with Surinamese colleagues to make sure arrangements are in place.
GINA said two rounds of written submissions have already taken place and, now, both countries have to present oral arguments, starting December 7, with the opportunity of a final settlement by late 2007.
Insanally expressed confidence that the eventual ruling will be in Guyana’s favour, GINA said.
Last October 28, Head of Guyana’s legal team, Sir Shridath Ramphal visited Guyana and updated President Bharrat Jagdeo on the preparations, GINA said.
It added that, in June 1962, the Dutch Government made its first official claim to ownership of the New River Triangle along Corentyne River and, since then, the Suriname Government seized every opportunity to assert its claim to the area.
GINA recalled that, in 2002, a Canadian oil exploration company, CGX, operating with the permission from the Guyana Government to conduct exploration in Corentyne River, was forcibly expelled by the Surinamese authorities in a show of force that brought the once dormant issue back on the front burner of national foreign policy.
The agency said, presently, Guyanese have to obtain permits from the Surinamese to fish in certain parts of Corentyne River.