THE Prime Minister on Monday said Venezuela's claim to Guyana's Essequibo territory is a situation full of risks but he was confident in a peaceful resolution, addressing a news briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.
Dr Rowley hoped such a resolution would be encouraged by both disputants each having respect for Trinidad and Tobago's having taken principled past positions.
His remarks precede the Venezuelan Government's December 3 referendum on the Essequibo claim, which Guyana last Tuesday asked the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, to block, but to which Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said no.
"If there is any country which understands the principled position of TT it is Venezuela. It is on a Venezuelan issue when Venezuela's life blood was at stake that TT took its most principled public position. Not once, but more than once."
Rowley said when the Essequibo row had previously flared up, former prime minister Dr Eric Williams had brought some easing of tension in a scary situation.
He said, "We are confident that the Governments of Venezuela and Guyana would know that Caricom's position, that our region is and must remain a zone of peace, is the best position for all of us.
"Secondly, they'd all know, even in the darkest hour, it was known that TT's position was that if difficulties arise, the response must be dialogue, dialogue and dialogue."
Rowley said a Venezuelan issue had taken TT, Mexico and Norway to Uruguay on a principled position, regarding opposition to efforts to unseat the Nicolas Maduro Government.
"There's nothing new here."
He said, "Guyana knows it has the support of Caricom on this matter, and Venezuela knows Caricom supports Guyana on this issue.
"So let us not overreact or overreach."
He said TT viewed Venezuela as its closest neighbour, with close working relationships, and TT was heavily invested in Guyana as Caricom capital.
"I think we all know what is happening. It would be a tragedy indeed if we misunderstand what is happening and mishandle it."
Rowley reiterated that TT was present when the Venezuelan Government had faced challenges.
"The Government of Venezuela saw us at work, to know how we handled it."
Pressed on the border row, he admitted there were always risks including that of a "nuclear" styled political chain-reaction, but said Caricom wished the region to be a zone of peace. Rowley did not want to see the relationship damaged between Venezuela and Guyana.
Also on foreign policy, Rowley touched on Haiti which now faces lawlessness and gang-rule in certain areas of its capital city. He advocated a broadening of the current governmental structure, saying, at present, not one governmental official had been elected.
"A stronger effort should be made to get a broader-based government."
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