Pomp and pleasantries greet Chavez
By Andre Haynes
Stabroek News
February 20, 2004
"Bienvenidos el Presidente!" Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets a student of the Timehri Primary School at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport yesterday. (Photo by Ken Moore)
Amid tight security that included his own bullet-proof car and sniffer dog, President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez arrived at Timehri yesterday morning for a whirlwind one-day tour.
Lined up on the Timehri tarmac to meet him were President Bharrat Jagdeo and a large contingent including members of the Cabinet.
Chavez smiled broadly as he was greeted by Jagdeo, who was accompanied by Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff Brigadier, Michael Atherly and newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix. He was accorded a 21-gun salute from the Military Guard of Honour, which the former paratrooper later inspected. His security detail did a good job at fighting off local camera crews and charting a route for the large delegation that included high-ranking military aides.
Lengthy introductions followed with the cabinet and local diplomats as well as with ambassadors and other representatives of foreign missions in Guyana.
Chavez then met with a group of students from the nearby Timehri Primary School, who tried out some Spanish phrases on him. He seemed impressed.
A key moment: President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez displays the key to Georgetown handed over by Mayor Hamilton Green (left) yesterday at the Promenade Gardens. (Ken Moore photo)
All of these handshakes, hugs and kisses took nearly an hour and would create the first of many delays in his schedule.
Chavez was then whisked away in his bullet-proof vehicle, brought over from Venezuela, led by a police escort with siren wailing .
Along the East Bank, housewives came out to catch a glimpse of the procession with small pockets of schoolchildren dutifully waving miniature flags.
Truck drivers were not so happy to be parked on the verge waiting for the convoy to pass by, while some minibus drivers saw the opportunity to jump into the convoy's wake and get a clear run into town.
At the Promenade Gardens, Chavez was received by a beaming Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green draped with his chunky mayoral chain.
More introductions followed with members of the town council, some of whom pushed back the many cameramen, in their zeal to meet Chavez.
Green presented the Key to the City while declaring his hope for fruitful talks.
According to the programme, Chavez was scheduled to speak for four minutes.
But the leader, whose only rival in long speeches is President Fidel Castro, poured forth for more than forty minutes, much to the chagrin of the children seated under the midday sun.
Through his interpreter, Chavez expressed the hope that his visit would mark the beginning of a new era in relations.
He said it was in 1999 when then President Janet Jagan extended an invitation to him during her trip to Caracas. He said he had not forgotten and cited this as an example of the interest in furthering diplomatic relations. His speech ranged from subjects as diverse as space flights to Mars, the coup d'etat he survived in 2002 and his love for the Bolivarian revolution.
He wrapped up his speech and then signed numerous autographs for the children. By then it was 12.25 pm, and a 10.50 am tete a tete with Jagdeo was already way behind schedule.
He spoke of strides that Venezuela has made in its education and healthcare sectors as areas where Guyana could benefit. He also reiterated his commitment to solving problems that exist between the two countries, which are still locked in a border controversy.
But at the airport he said Venezuela's claims to Essequibo would not be on the agenda for discussion.
He however assured the civic reception that he was committed to resolving fishing disputes as well as to ensure that Guyana can access petroleum supplies under the Caracas Energy Accord.
He also spoke about the importance of developing the relationship between the two countries, in the context of the integration of South America, which he has been pushing.