August 22, 2007

Sir Ramphal meets President on Guyana / Suriname Arbitration award

GINA

GEORGETOWN, GINA - Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo today met Sir Shridath Ramphal who is part of Guyana's legal team on the Guyana - Suriname arbitration process and former Guyana Foreign Minister and Commonwealth Secretary General, at his Office in New Garden Street.

"I have been meeting with the President from time to time ... In a whole series of discussions pertaining to the arbitration [and this was in that serious](sic).  We are moving steadily to the award," Sir Ramphal said.

Paul Reichler a lawyer [who is] part [of] Guyana's legal team on the Guyana-Suriname Arbitration Process was supposed to be present at the meeting today, Sir Ramphal indicated.  Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally was also part of the meeting.

Sir Ramphal maintained that like other matters involving a judicial process, once matters are in court they cannot be the subject of general discussion.

The Arbitral Tribunal set up under the International Convention on the Law of the Sea is expected to give a final award soon.