Guyana, Venezuela seek Annan's aid to speed up settlement of border controversy

Guyana and Venezuela are seeking to reinvigorate discussions under the aegis of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a bid to resolve the nearly two-century-old border controversy between the two neighbours on the northern shoulder of South America, a United Nations spokesman said today.

Mr. Annan met with Foreign Ministers Samuel Insanally of Guyana and Roy Chaderton-Matos of Venezuela at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday at their request, according to spokesman Fred Eckhard. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Oliver Jackman, was also present.

"In reviewing the situation, the Foreign Ministers noted that relations between the two countries were constructive and at a point that would ensure future cooperation," Mr. Eckhard told a news briefing. "They said that they wished to reinvigorate the discussions taking place under the aegis of the Secretary-General in order to resolve the controversy."