Guyana's ambassador refutes Venezuelan allegation

Guyana's ambassador refutes Venezuelan allegation
Kaieteur News, 16 January 2008
Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr Odeen Ishmael, yesterday clarified
for Venezuelans that Guyana was not giving Britain more influence in
the southern part of the country but, rather, that the land is proposed
for the fight against climate change.

Venezuela is laying claim to Guyana's western territory, which is also
home to the forest conservation efforts.

Dr Ishmael's comments were aired on American Voice Radio Network in New
York during a programme that was anchored by Venezuelan-born John
Sanchez (from San Cristobal).

It involved the participation of VHeadline editor Roy S. Carson.

Dr Ishmael told the panelists that Jagdeo did go to Britain and made a
statement in which he was encouraging that country, along with other
developed countries, to engage in the environmental and sustainable
development of the forested areas, and that Britain was interested.

He emphasised that it was not a matter of Britain seeking a policy of
greater influence in the southern region of the country.

“Of course we want them to be interested, because we want them to
inject some funds,” said Dr Ishmael.

According to Dr Ishmael, Guyana was working along the lines of not
having the forests systematically destroyed.

“We want to protect them and have the people living here to have
economic benefits without damaging the forests.”