Why There is Still a Place for O.A.S.’ Adjacency Zone Office

The relationship between Belize and Guatemala is at times tense, but for the sake of carrying out the education campaign successfully, the existing state of affairs between both countries must be preserved.  Key to maintaining the status quo is the O.A.S. Office at the Adjacency Zone.  PM Barrow discusses the role of the Organization of American States going forward.

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“As the education campaign unfolds, the absolute importance of maintaining the status quo with Guatemala, in particular the Organization of American States, the Adjacency Zone and the modus vivendi currently in place which see us able to, in fact, invoke the diplomatic intervention of the Organization of American States when and if there are problems, particular problems that arise between ourselves and Guatemala.  That road must be maintained, must be kept completely intact during these next few months as we move towards the referendum vote.  I had gone to Washington to meet with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, His Excellency Luis Almagro and I had impressed upon him the need for the maintenance of the officer in the Adjacency Zone and the activist role of the O.A.S. to continue.  We therefore agreed that there would be a reaching out of all parties to the international community so that the very important issue of continued funding for the OAS office at the Adjacency Zone can be addressed.”