Pierre Urges Peaceful Settlement Of Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy

Citing Saint Lucia’s close friendship with Guyana and Venezuela, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre Monday described the border controversy between the two neighbours as a quarrel between Saint Lucia’s friends while urging a peaceful settlement. “It’s a situation where we find ourselves among a quarrel among our friends and that is the reality of the situation,” Pierre told reporters on the margins of a Cabinet meeting. “But again, we believe that controversy must be settled peacefully,” the Prime Minister told reporters. “We are calling for discussion and dialogue,” Pierre explained. “We are asking for both parties to respect international law,” he said. Pierre recalled Guyana saying it would accept the International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction, but Venezuela has not. Pierre also stated that actions should not escalate the border controversy. In addition, he urged maintaining the region as a zone of peace. Pierre said he was pleased about a Thursday meeting between Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. On Sunday, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Guyana-born Sir Shridath Ramphal, warned against false expectations. Ramphal emphasised the need to understand the limit of the talks. The former Commonwealth Secretary-General observed that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders...