Guyana's Recognition of Palestinian State Symbolizes Solidarity and Commitment

Guyana joins other Latin American governments in recognition of the State of Palestine.

Guyana joins several other Latin American nations in supporting a Palestine State based on the 1967 borders. Image: Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Pressure on Israel grows this week with Guyana's announcement that the country now formally recognizes Palestine as a free, independent, and sovereign state, based on its 1967 borders that existed prior to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued this week, the decision is in keeping with Guyana’s long standing and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, Palestine:

"...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, and our advocacy over the years for a two state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict with the people of Israel and Palestine living side by side in their free and independent countries in peace, prosperity and harmony and within secure and internationally recognised borders."

Guyana joins several other Latin American nations including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador; many of which have witnessed deadly political upheaval, in recognizing Palestine as an independent state.

The Foreign Ministry says it is a show of its commitment to Palestinians.

"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."

Paraguay and Peru are expected to join Chile on that list of nations officially granting recognition to Palestine, in the coming weeks.

The Palestinian Authority first plans to seek statehood recognition from the UN Security Council. If that does not materialize, the PA will turn to the General Assembly. In that event the decision are not binding.

It also would not be subject to veto. This is important, because the US consistently vetoes any measures that do not benefit the interests of the Israeli regime.

Last week the US House of Representatives passed a resolution, "condemning unilateral measures to declare or recognize a Palestinian state." There appears to be a majority of support in the General Assembly, though Press TV speculates that the Security Council would probably not go along with the plan.

YNet in Israel reports that, "Israeli officials have reacted to the declarations by calling them meaningless and counterproductive to the peace process."

Last week the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported an announcement from Chilean President Sebastian Pinera that he officially recognizes an independent Palestinian state

Special thanks to:

Jan-13-2011: Statement by the Government of Guyana in Recognition of the State of Palestine - Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Jan-13-2011: Guyana recognizes Palestinian state - Press TV

Jan-13-2011: Guyana recognizes PalestineBy Stabroek staff - Stabroek News

Jan-14-2011: Guyana recognizes Palestinian state - .ynetnews.com

Jan-14-2011: Guyana becomes 7th South American state to recognize Palestinian independence - Haaretz.com

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

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