Granger briefs Cuban President on Venezuelan threat

Granger briefs Cuban President on Venezuelan threat

President David Granger says that he is convinced that the outcome would
be favourable, in terms of the region remaining a zone of peace now that
Cuba has been briefed on the territorial threat Guyana faces from Venezuela.

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said that President
Granger today met with Cuba's President, Raul Castro, for bilateral
talks, at the United Nations Headquarters. The meeting came hours before
Granger is due to meet with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under
the auspices of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon aimed at resolving the
tensions that have erupted over Venezuelan aggression since May this year.

"We took the opportunity to thank the Cuban leader for the support they
have given. They have played a very important role in the Caribbean and
Africa, as well as a great humanitarian role. We were particularly
concerned about the territorial controversy," Granger was quoted as saying.

He told journalists after the meeting that his government is aware that
Cuba is very close to Venezuela and it is for this reason that he would
certainly want Cuba to use its influence to help bring a speedy end to
the controversy.

Cuba had particularly close relations with the late Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez.

Granger in the statement also emphasised Guyana's role in support of
Cuba. "As you know Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica were
instrumental in working for the normalisation of relations with Cuba
since the early 1970s. We have a long tradition of friendship. We have
many Cuba trained doctors and many points of contact between the two
states," he said.

Contending that Cuba could play a significant role in resolving the
border issue between Guyana and Venezuela, President Granger said, "We
feel that, to the extent that Cuba decides to get involved, the outcome
would be favourable in ensuring that the Caribbean remains a zone of peace."

In the meantime, the President said that leading up to the Commonwealth
Heads of Government meeting, he will try to meet with as many
Commonwealth States as possible, prior to that meeting, which is to be
held in Malta in November of this year.

"The Foreign Minister and I will take very opportunity to present
Guyana's interest and to ensure that this obnoxious claim is removed so
we can move ahead with our development," Granger said in the release.

In response to questions on media reports that Venezuela has begun to
withdraw military troops and equipment from the borders, Granger said in
the statement that if this is so, it is a welcome move by Venezuela. The
President added that what would be even more welcome, would be the
restoration of normal relations including the return of the Venezuelan
Ambassador. "You cannot expect us to talk and remove the persons who do
the talking. We want agrément, because the ambassadors are the two point
persons through [whom] the two countries can communicate quickly and
effectively," Granger pointed out.

Venezuela recently stalled agrément for Guyana's nominee to be
Ambassador to Caracas.

Granger while in New York has also met with Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. The Indian PM was also briefed on the Venezuelan situation.

Source: Granger briefs Cuban President on Venezuelan threat - Stabroek
News -
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/27/granger-briefs-cuban-president-on-venezuelan-threat/