evidence: The Tigri Area is a wooded area that has been disputed by Guyana and Suriname since around 1840. It involves the area between the Upper Corentyne River (also called the New River), the Coeroeni River, and the Kutari River. This triangular area is known as the New River Triangle in Guyana. In 1969 the conflict ran high, since then, the area has been controlled by Guyana and claimed by Suriname. My point is that there are at least two simmering claims on Guyana’s territory. Now that it has been discovered that our country is rich in oil and gas resources, it will not surprise me if such claims intensify or increase in number. [...] Similarly, I call on all Guyanese – regardless of political affiliation – to support the protection of our territory. We, as citizens, must band together for the good of our beautiful country. In other words, when it comes to matters of our territory, sovereignty, independence, and protection of our national patrimony, we must not allow anything to divide us. We must stand together as one people, living in one nation, in pursuit of one destiny.