On Sarstoon, Elrington Warns of ‘Crying Wolf’

A recent expedition to the Sarstoon involving a team of reporters from Belize and Guatemala ended in a confrontation with members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces.  The attempt to travel upriver with the Belize Territorial Volunteers was frustrated when journalists were aggressed by the opposing military.  Earlier today, we asked Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington to weigh in on the matter.  He likened the constant incitement by the Territorial Volunteers to Aesop’s fable of the boy who cried wolf.

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Border problems are difficult ones.. They are prone to get out of hand and unless people are prudent and careful, they can hurt not only themselves but they can in fact bring harm to a nation’s security forces, as well as to villagers and citizens who live adjacent to these borders.  So borders are nothing to play with, especially where there is a conflict.  I do not know how I could get this across to the people of Belize.  I don’t know how I could get it across to the Territorial Volunteers because some people tend to think that this kind of adventurism is patriotic or smart.  In my view, it is neither patriotic, it is neither smart.  It is dangerous, downright dangerous and I’m always minded Isani, of the story of the boy who cried wolf.  One day the wolf ate that boy and I am very, very concerned that that might well happen in Belize.  I really would not want it to happen under my watch but that is my biggest fear.  It seems as if Belizeans who are involved in the Territorial Volunteers are oblivious of these developments and I am very fearful that one day they are going to bring harm to themselves and other innocent Belizeans in much the same way in which the gangs are bringing harm to themselves and other innocent Belizeans.  These are things which I cannot decry sufficiently, but obviously my own position is falling on their fears.  Yes, we are free and nobody has been more passionate in defending Belize and our entire territory of Belize.  But in my view there is a right way and a wrong way.  There is a prudent way and a dangerous way.  I prefer to pursue the prudent path, the safe path.”