Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Raphael Trotman believes that before any Venezuela-built road or gas pipeline is allowed to pass through Guyana, that country must renounce its claim to the Essequibo.
His comments came in the wake of continuing reports that the Spanish-speaking country is pushing the project for the gas pipeline across the north of South America and a road through Guyana’s west.
The pipeline was raised at a recent Petrocaribe meeting that Guyana attended and the road has been floated in the context of the South America infrastructure project.
Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday that he plans to raise the issue with the local political parties and will write President Bharrat Jagdeo this week on it. He said that while Venezuela is seen as a friend, the outstanding issue of the controversy over the Essequibo must be resolved before any such project is approved. He added that the issue is one that should concern all Guyanese.
I absolutely agree with Raphael Trotman’s views. The issue of Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo has to be denounced before we make any sort of deal with that country.
I am in total agreement with the position of Mr Trotman on an issue that is critical to the integrity of Guyana nationhood status. Efforts should be made to ensure that no Trojan horses are allowed into our barnyard.
Good going AFC, keep up the good work.
“Not one bluesakie, not one rice grain, not one cuirass, not a blade a grass”, come on sing along now.
I agree with you 100 and 10%.
THAT RIGHT MR. TROTMAN TRY YOUR BEST TO STOP THE GOG
……..this suggestion by ” Trotsie “,, should open the door to national unity ,, ! now is the hour to see how many of the “talk the talk” gon “walk de walk”,, an be G’nese to the bone ,, with an undying love for country !!!………
Mr. Trotman,,i implore you to keep the focus to make the Venezuelans know that we not giving up a blade of grass ,, ! get up ! stand up !…….
Rafael Trotman’s anti-Chavez campaign – actively propagated by Stabroeknews -is not new. He and a handful of uneducated and reactionary reporters in Guyana peddle the idea that we have to be “watchful of Venezuela taking over Guyana”. Where is the evidence – Mr. Trotman? The truth is Venezuela under Hugo Chavez has saved Guyana from a major economic and social crisis by selling Guyana oil at a concessional rate (through the Petrocaribe agreement) that no other country will offer us. Trotman, and his pro-US party (the AFC), does not tell the Guyanese people and our compatriots abroad that we pay only 60% for our oil upfront and the rest – 40% – we pay over a period of 25 years at one percent interest. Yes – believe it 1% !!! Now, the so-called border dispute was created by our colonial masters – the British in the case of Guyana and the Spanish in the case of Venezuela. The old ruling class parties in Venezuela continue to perpetuate this claim. President Chavez is the first head of state in that country who is talking of renouncing the claim and moving towards regional development that will finally unite the entire South American Region – where there will be NO BORDERS and there will be no CLAIM. That is our future – could anyone imagine that could have every happened in this era?
Mike Rahman
RAHMAN if what u are saying is true then i would support the venture 100 pct.
but untill that can be proven in writing from the venezuelian govt, i will have to
side with MR.TROTMAN and every other guyanese who feel the same way
Chavez is a socialist dictator with a devious plan. He should not be trusted. Chavez is “moving towards regional development that will finally unite the entire South American Region – where there will be NO BORDERS and there will be no CLAIM”, and Guyana should not be wary of Chavez.?
Many of us sit in and enjoy capatalist America but seem to be in favor of socialism in Guyana. Think about how hypocritical that is. Anyone who wish Guyana continues down the socialist path cannot be interested in Guyan’s development.
This Rahaman guy is nieve> If Mr Chavez is all about unity how come he did not denounce the border crossing and killing of several Guyanese. How come to this day he has not denounced to border controversy. To this day I have not read a response from the Chavez government about the killings, and they had promised to do so!!
Since Chavez came to power, the border issue became a priority. Is this the kind of disrespect that Guyanese will tolerate? I hope not.
What the Chavez government is doing is called COVERT OPERATIONS!!!
Wine em, Dine em, then kill em. This tactic is to bring us to our knees in debt(40% over 25 yrs) then Guyana will willingly give up the Essequibo as payment.
I agree with Mr. Trotman,, NO PIPELINE until they denounce the border issue and make reparations to the families of loved ones killed by Venezuelan troops.
I have to say I agree.
Assuming the road and pipeline is not just a bunch of rhetoric, I can assure you that the Guyana Government will allow the construction thereof to go ahead in the years to come, quoting hinterland development and economic progress as their reasons. They will see it as free infrastructure that will create remote region access and revenue generation without any real effort or expenditure on their own part. They will gamble that Brazil (and to a lesser extent, the USA, the court of world opinion, or even the UN) will act as a counterweight to any hardening of Venezuelan ambitions to physically extend their sphere of influence or actual borders.
We will be given a well reasoned, coherently articulated defense of this about-face in policy (also known as jiggery-pokery), and in the end all these comments and diatrebes against the encroachment of Venezuela on our territory will be puffs of wind that we will recall with nostalgia and dismay.
I am with you 100%, settle these issues now before they hinder the progress between our two nation’s in the future. Good reminder Chemist.
MR. TROTMAN I AGREE WITH U 100%. GUYANA HAVE TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THIS DEAL.
we are getting a lot out of this deal,
Mr Trotman’s comment is counterproductive. Here is an opportunity to assist Guyana today with a littlle “doll and rice.” Trotman wants us to forego this: my old people tells me that we have to be thankful for little mercies. Mr Tootman should know that the treaty with Venezuela was done since two centries ago, 1899 to be exact. It was never brought up in the Chavez regime. How then can Trotman give the impression that Chavez has been balking. He is conflating two eras; he seems to be blaming Chavez for an 1899 treaty. By that convoluted logic, we today are to be blamed. Now, common Sir Trotman: be a pragmatic politician- feed your people today with little mercies – they may be with you when you want to talk to Chavez on the border treaty. Ballso
Any one who takes Chavez for granted has their head stuck in the sand. Mr. Trotman is right. This is a good test for Chavez to show his true colors. If he has all these good intentions for Guyana he will drop the claim.