Guyana recognizes Palestinian state
GUYANA: Guyana on Thursday became the latest Latin American country
to recognize an independent Palestinian state, the Foreign Ministry
announced. “It is Guyana’s hope that the increasing recognition of the
state of Palestine will contribute to a resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the creation of lasting peace and
stability in the region,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Guyana joins Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador in
recognizing Palestine as an independent state within the borders that
existed before Israel captured the West Bank, including east Jerusalem,
and the Gaza Strip in the June 1967 Six-Day War.
The borders of a final Palestinian state have been one of the
thorniest issues in peace negotiations with Israel.
Last Friday, Chile also formally recognized the existence of a
Palestinian state, but did not mention the issue of the borders.
Guyana’s decision, the statement said, “is in keeping with Guyana’s
long-standing and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, the
just and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for the
exercise of their right to self-determination and to achieve a homeland
of their own, independent, free, prosperous and at peace.”
Israeli officials have denounced the declarations, calling Chile’s
recognition a “useless and empty gesture” that won’t advance peace.
Georgetown, Sunday, AFP |