The display of an incorrect map at an International Business Conference in Suriname has led to widespread condemnation from Guyana’s government and business associations. The map wrongly depicted the New River Triangle as part of Suriname. Key figures criticized the lack of protest over this misrepresentation, reinforcing the necessity to uphold Guyana’s sovereign claims.
The display of an erroneous map at a recent International Business Conference (IBC) in Paramaribo, Suriname, has drawn widespread condemnation. This map incorrectly depicted Guyana’s New River Triangle as part of Suriname. Affected parties include Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), which have all issued statements rejecting this misrepresentation.
The inaccurate map was reportedly distributed among attendees and shown during a government minister’s presentation, receiving insufficient vocal opposition from the audience. However, when the correct map of Guyana featuring the New River Triangle was displayed, visible disapproval arose, particularly among Surinamese representatives. The Government of Guyana stated that it was not consulted regarding the map’s distribution, emphasizing that the territory is integral to Guyana’s sovereignty as established by historical agreements.
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Amanza Walton Desir remarked that the incident reflects poorly on Guyana’s diplomatic endeavors, following a prior incident involving a misrepresentation at an international event in Bolivia. Desir criticized the government for not issuing an official protest, voicing concerns about the quality of diplomatic representation appointed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud underscored the significance of Guyana’s territorial limits, reiterating that the New River Triangle is indisputably part of Guyana as recognized by international law. He addressed the role of the Joint Border Commission between both countries, which is tasked solely with making recommendations regarding border disputes, not re-evaluating territorial boundaries.
The GCCI condemned the use of incorrect maps at the IBC and highlighted the imperative of defending Guyana’s sovereignty. They described the map presentation at such a prominent conference as a serious affront to the nation’s territorial integrity, calling for collective action from business and support organizations to prevent similar occurrences.
The GMSA similarly expressed profound concern over the map’s dissemination, articulating that Guyana’s borders, including the New River Triangle, are internationally recognized and must be upheld. They called for both regional and international entities to adhere to legal frameworks that safeguard Guyana’s territorial rights and requested vigilance to avoid future inaccuracies.
Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman of Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated, attempted to contextualize the matter by stating that both countries possess differing views on territorial boundaries. He emphasized respect for respective national beliefs while advocating for the border commission’s role in resolving existing disputes, underscoring the need to acknowledge historical maps.
Conversely, Rahul Lildhar, CEO of the Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), clarified that his organization was not involved in the map’s presentation and reported that Ambassador Virjanand Depoo was absent during the presentation that included the controversial map. Lildhar reiterated the SGCC’s neutral position while emphasizing the importance of fostering positive relations between Suriname and Guyana.
In summary, the recent display of an incorrect map at the International Business Conference in Suriname has triggered significant backlash from various sectors in Guyana. Official representations have reiterated that the New River Triangle is a vital part of Guyana’s territory. Calls for stronger diplomatic advocacy to prevent similar incidents in the future have emerged, emphasizing the importance of upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
