Pres. Chavez's visit dawns new era of Guyana/Venezuela cooperation
--- Guyana's debt to Caracas written off
by Michelle Nurse
Guyana Chronicle
February 20, 2004
`The Essequibo issue will be removed from the framework of the social, political, economic relations between the two countries and we will tackle each issue from a different perspective based on mutual respect." President Hugo Chavez
PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez has signalled the dawning of a new era in relations with Guyana with which it has had a longstanding border controversy.
"The Essequibo issue will be removed from the framework of the social, political, economic relations between the two countries and we will tackle each issue from a different perspective based on mutual respect ..." Chavez said yesterday.
At a joint press conference with President Bharrat Jagdeo late last evening at State House, President Chavez said that things have changed drastically from the "imperialist" thinking of the past and Venezuela now has "no kind of sentiment against Guyana whatsoever."
Rather, Venezuela seeks to foster closer relations with Guyana.
Manifestations of the closer cooperation between the two neighbouring states were the cancellation of US$12.5M of the debt Guyana owes Venezuela, and the undertaking by President Chavez to favourably consider adjusting to terms and conditions of the Caracas Energy Cooperation Accord to make it compatible with Guyana's obligations under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The HIPC conditions prevented Guyana from benefiting from the Accord.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Rudy Insanally, told the Chronicle that the modalities of the adjusted terms would be worked out between his ministry and the Ministry of Finance. According to the joint communiqué issued during the press conference, Guyana and Venezuela have agreed that the technical officials would meet before the end of March to resolve the issue.
Presidents Chavez and Jagdeo have also agreed to pursue poverty alleviation as well as infrastructure projects under the Hemispheric Integration Project. Among those projects is the construction of a road linking the two states. Both countries are to seek international resources to conduct feasibility studies to implement the road project.
"We have agreed to leave the Essequibo issue in the hands of the UN Good Officer Process," President Jagdeo said, adding that both countries will try to accelerate and develop closer economic, social and other types of development in the areas of agriculture.
Speaking through an interpreter, Chavez told the press corps: "We have come here to strengthen ties with Guyana.
"We have come with the willpower to foster ...further integration.
"The Venezuelan Government will not hinder any project to be conducted in (the Essequibo) whose purpose is to benefit the inhabitants of the area. By that I mean projects like water supply, communication roads, energy programmes, agricultural programmes.
"Any other sensitive projects that might be organized in the area, we are planning to immediately get in touch and review the projects together within the framework of the high level bilateral commission. We have to find the right way to tackle the problem," Chavez stressed.
President Chavez and his delegation leave today.