Mr. Douglas Belanger reports
GOLD RESERVE INC. SUBMITS $1.928 BILLION ARBITRATION CLAIM TO WORLD BANKA S ICSID
Gold Reserve Inc. has
filed its arbitration claim against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
with the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment
Disputes (ICSID), in accordance with the provisions of the
Canada-Venezuela bilateral investment treaty (BIT).
Gold Reserve's claim alleges violations of three provisions of the
Canada-Venezuela BIT culminating in the effective expropriation of Gold
Reserve's sizable investments in the world-class Brisas gold/copper
project and the promising Choco 5 gold property.
Gold Reserve believes three breaches of the Canada-Venezuela BIT
occurred:
- Article II -- Failure to provide fair and equitable
treatment and full protection and security;
- Article III -- A failure to
guarantee treatment on no less favourable terms than provided to
nationals of any other state;
- Article VII -- A protection against
expropriation of investments without due process of law, on a
discriminatory basis, without a legitimate public purpose and without
proper compensation.
Gold Reserve seeks compensation for all of its losses caused by
Venezuela's breaches of the BIT, including the full value of its
investments in the Brisas project and in Choco 5 prior to Venezuela's
breaches of the BIT, and other related damage. As of Sept. 24, 2010,
Gold Reserve values its damages at a minimum in the amount of $1.92-billion, equivalent to approximately $30 a share.
Doug Belanger, president, stated: "The filing of the memorial that
supports the claim is the result of several months of extensive effort
by counsel, technical, legal and financial experts and company
personnel. The Brisas project and the promising Choco 5 exploration
property were significant assets to the shareholders of the company. We
worked extremely hard to maximize the value of these projects for the
shareholders, stakeholders and local beneficiaries in Venezuela.
Venezuela has obviously decided to take another path regarding the
Brisas project. As a result of the unfortunate actions taken by
Venezuela in violation of the BIT, we are prepared to vigorously pursue
a decision in this case for our shareholders and stakeholders. We remain
ready, however, to evaluate and possibly enter into an amicable
settlement that would compensate us for our losses and allow the project
or projects to proceed on a fast-track basis. Any settlement would be
accepted only if it were beneficial to the shareholders and stakeholders
of the company."
Further written submissions are scheduled to be made during 2011 and the
oral hearing in the case is scheduled to commence on Dec. 5, 2011.
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