Guyana's facilitator: Application at UN was not opposed by Venezuela
Ralph Rankarran, a Guyanese Facilitator to the United Nations Good Officer Process under the Geneva Agreement relating to the Guyana-Venezuela Border, trusts in the work of the Good Officer.
According to Guyana's Facilitator Ralph Rankarran, Guyana's borders are recognized internationally (File photo)
Attorney Ralph Rankarran was elected in 1994 the Guyana Facilitator to the United Nations Good Officer Process under the Geneva Agreement relating to the Guyana-Venezuela Border controversy. He agreed to answer a questionnaire sent by El Universal.
- Could you please explain your view about the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela?
- The controversy between Venezuela and Guyana has arisen as a result of Venezuela's contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 which demarcated the boundary between the two countries is null and void.
- How do you think such dispute could be resolved satisfactorily for both parties?
- I cannot predict the outcome of any resolution but both countries have good relations and are engaged in amicable discussion over a range of issues including the controversy under the Good Offices Process. These engagements provide a good possibility of a resolution of the controversy.
- What do you think about the mechanism of the UN Secretary General's Good Officer? Do you believe that this mechanism can lead to a result putting and end to the dispute?
- The UN Secretary General Good Offices Process has been agreed to by both countries and has been renewed from time to time. Both countries have confidence in this Process as offering a mechanism for discussions.
- Ever since Mr. Norman Girvan was appointed as Good Officer, how many times have the parties met with him? What is the status of the talks between the parties?
- We have met, are in close touch and the discussions are ongoing.
- Based on the Geneva Agreement, a feasible and satisfactory solution for both parties should be attained. Does it involve any negotiation of territory?
- The Geneva Agreement is founded on Venezuela's contention that the Arbitral Award is null and void. Guyana disagrees with this contention. This contention has not been resolved.
- Don't you think the application Guyana submitted to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf runs counter to the Geneva Agreement as it disregards the existence of the dispute?
-The Government of Guyana does not think so and informed Venezuela of its intention to make the application which has been made without prejudice to the rights of any other country. Guyana's borders as defined on its official map are internationally recognized and on that basis has a lawful right to apply for an extension of its continental shelf. Its initial submission of information to the Commission on the Continental Shelf was not opposed by Venezuela.
- How would you describe the current state of affairs of the relations between the governments of Guyana and Venezuela?
- Relations between Guyana and Venezuela are very good.
