Venezuela objects to foreign concessions in Essequibo
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has formally expressed its concern about the Government of Guyana's "continued policy of granting concessions, of any nature" to foreign companies in Essequibo. A communique from the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the recent signing of a satellite launch site pact between Guyana and Beal Aerospace Technologies in the Waini, said that this "adds strange elements to the controversy, contravening the spirit of the [Geneva] agreement freely taken between both parties." Concern for the environment and the consequential damage, direct and indirect, likely to result from the granting of these concessions were also raised by the Venezuelans. The communique stated that according to article V paragraph 2 of the Geneva Agreement of 1966 the granting of concessions would not have any effect on Venezuela's "titles and rights" to Essequibo. Regretting the signing of the agreement between Guyana and Beal, the statement went on to say that Venezuela would not recognise any concessions or other cessions granted in the territory of Essequibo or its marine projections. The communique gave the reminder that Venezuela and Guyana had an obligation within the context of the Geneva Agreement of 1966 to ensure that the controversy over Essequibo be settled peacefully in a way which was acceptable to both parties, and that therefore they should look "for a practical and satisfactory solution." The statement affirmed Venezuela's determination to work, together with the Government of Guyana, towards the goal of peaceful settlement, in the context of the Good Offices provided by the personal representative of the United Nations Secretary-General. It said it hoped that the relations and goodwill existing between the two nations would continue to develop in the highest spirit of collaboration and mutual respect through the mechanism of the High Level Bilateral Commission established by the governments in March 1999.
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