Two Articles On Guyana's Concerns On Venezuela's Territorial Ambitions

WNU Editor: Two articles on the relationship between Guyana and its neighbour Venezuela ..... it appears that some people are concerned.

Guyana Concerned By New Venezuelan Weaponry -- Miami Herald

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Guyana's opposition party worries about Russian weapons going to neighboring Venezuela and officials say they are monitoring the situation.

The People's National Congress says the sales are reminiscent of a 1966 buildup, when Venezuela occupied half of Ankoko Island that Guyana says is its territory.

Foreign Minister Manzoor Nadir said Saturday that he ''is not ignorant of the situation in Venezuela'' and will monitor it.

Russia recently gave Venezuela a $1 billion credit to buy weapons. It also has signed contracts worth more than $4.4 billion since 2005 to supply arms including fighter jets and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

Guyana and Venezuela have a long-standing border dispute.

______________________________________________________________

Guyana Gov't Rejects Concerns About Caracas Arms
-- International Herald Tribune

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Guyana's government is dismissing the main opposition party's concern about Venezuela strengthening its military with Russian weaponry.

Russia recently gave Venezuela a US$1 billion credit to buy arms. It also has signed contracts worth more than US$4.4 billion since 2005 to supply weapons to the socialist country.

But Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo's administration said Sunday it was confident Caracas respects its territorial integrity regardless of a long-standing border dispute between the two South American governments.

The People's National Congress on Saturday said the Russian weapons sales are reminiscent of a 1966 buildup, when Venezuela occupied half of Ankoko Island that Guyana says is its territory.