Venezuela:
Getting closer to Brazil does not mean forsaking Colombia
etting closer to brazil does not imply forsaking
Colombia. However, if we interpret the constant, persistent and boisterous statements
by several cabinet members, excluding the only one called to give opinions on the issue,
that is Foreign Minister Burelli, the dominant tone is a perpetual claim to the
Colombian government for actions, certainly reprovable, occurring in our accident
prone neighbor relationship.
Getting closer to Brazil must not be seen as walking away from our particular
relationship with the United States.
Getting closer to Brazil may not signify a late intent to reestablish the block
power policy of the sixties.
Getting closer to Brazil is a necessary phase in our foreign policy as is the
development of relations with the Caricom member countries or with those forming the
Andean Pact, but it may not at any time turn into an out focusing of our foreign policy's
fundamental objectives
Colombia is going through a very difficult internal policy stage and the least to
be expected from a good neighbor is that it should not get mixed with it. If it did so, it
could face the same thing that happened to that well intentioned neighbor who wanted
to intervene positively in his neighbors' quarrel and, as time went by, the latter solved
their problems but became his enemies forever.
The Colombian tragedy must concern us and more so the disintegration of our
borders, however, the liability for the facts occurring along our long borders are not the
exclusive responsibility of the Colombian government. Historically, there has been too
much indolence on the Venezuelan side when dealing with our borders' development
and strengthening. Today, that has a dramatic incidence on the insecurity lived
throughout all the country's borders. Let us not forget þjust because it is now
convenient to do soþ the case of the "garimpeiros".
Problems are not solved with wrathful postures, nor through the press, nor
assuming the parenthood of the ultimate nationalism, Problems are solved by constant,
decided but discreet and firm dialogue. Neighborhood relations concern neighbors;
normally they are rather simple issues that may be easily solved but that become
practically difficult due to the highly emotional charge implied by daily contact.
Neighborhood relationships are permanent by their own nature because unless
one of them physically disappears, they will always be there for good or bad.
Neighborhood relations in order to be harmonious and fruitful for both sides
must imply a good dose of intelligence, understanding and imagination in order to turn
a static situation into a civilized mode of evolution towards shared solutions to the
problems that may generate conflicts.
An example of creative focusing was, undoubtedly, the one adopted in the past
when the Amazon cooperation treaty was drafted. This agreement in order to have any
vigor had to harmonize numerous and difficult neighborhood relationships and to avoid
the compromising of issues to pending territorial claims. The Venezuelan government,
however, knew how to carry on with a complex negotiation with Brazil that was
successful because the previous importance of solving between the Andean Pact
members those issues of negotiation that, if dealt bilaterally with Brazil might have
produced a less convenient text for our respective interests, was never lost from
sight.
It would seem nowadays that we are seeking ever more far away the solution to
close problems. We are not opposed to a positive relationship with Mercosur and with
countries as Argentina and Uruguay, but first there must be a strengthening of the
Andean pact and of our relations with the Caribbean. One must not forget our
country's size. Illusions of grandeur are generally bad counsel and to pretend playing
on equal terms with giants without being an updated version of David may at most lead
to a great disillusion.
Translation by Carlos Armando Figueredo>/a>
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