C.E.O. of National Security George Lovell Comments on Confrontation

George Lovell

The Coast Guard patrol was in that area conducting reconnaissance with a view to possibly constructing a Forward Operating Base there. So while this specific situation was defused, what happens if the Coast Guard needs to go back in that area which is clearly in Belizean waters while the Guatemalans seem suddenly confused?

Ret’d. Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security

“We explained to them—our coastguard officials and our diplomats in Guatemala—explained to them what we are doing and what we intend to do going forward. I believe that, and this is in hindsight, that maybe it would have been a good idea had we said to them listen we are going to be in the area and we are going to be in there for a period of time so that those people who were on the ground would not have been agitated by a presence which is not routine from their observation. I believe that because of the suddenness of having a presence in the area longer than we would normally do may have created the kind of concerns that they had initially.”

Mike Rudon

“Some persons might say to you that we do not need to inform them; we will be in our territorial waters.”

Ret’d. Col. George Lovell

“That’s the position that the Ministry of National Security had and that’s the reason why there was no information given, shared. But you know, the current situation that is going on in Guatemala and what we are trying to achieve between the government of Belize and Guatemala, sometimes a little sharing of information doesn’t hurt.”

Mike Rudon

“Against the backdrop of what recently happened, the signing of the amendments, a lot of hugging and back-patting and everything. Are you surprised or maybe disappointed at this latest turn of events?”

Ret’d. Col. George Lovell

“Not really surprised or disappointed. I think it is a matter of understanding. We sometimes find out that a show of force is not necessarily the only way and the best way to go. Sometimes the dialogue and discussions where we can address our difference in amicable ways sometimes is the easiest and cheapest and best way to do things—that can be a little more longstanding. We don’t want to have memories that will always be in the back of our minds if we were to pull or weapons or somebody should do something very unfortunate. Those things sometimes go for a long, long time. We are as strong as any other government, if you take a diplomatic approach. I can tell you that we are not as strong as Guatemala if we take a military approach and try and show might.”