Belize and Guatemala sign plan of action
On Wednesday night, the Belize and Guatemala delegations agreed to move ahead
with the implementation of the confidence building measures signed in
November of last year. To clarify the coordinates of the adjacency line
between the two countries and the surrounding adjacency zone, the countries
requested aid from the Pan American Institute of Geography and History
based in Mexico City. The institute will create a map of the line identified
by markers at Gracias a Dios, Garbutt’s Falls and Aguas Turbias, and the
adjacency zone which extends one kilometre into each country. The Institute
has fourteen days to carry out the task and a week to deliver their map.
A six-member census team, with three representatives from each country,
will then have two weeks to count heads and compile a list of the Guatemalan
and Belizean settlers currently in the zone. Only those who satisfy the
requirements of the November eighth agreement, and entered the area before
October first, 2000 will be given licenses and allowed to stay. Children
born to settlers after October first 2000 will be allowed to stay under
the same conditions as their parents. The Pan-American Institute of Geography
and History will then determine the precise distance from the adjacency
line to the settlements at Machaquila and Rio Blanco, as well as those
at Valentin Camp. Based on this information, the facilitators, Sir Shridath
Ramphal and Paul Reichler, will give their interpretation of the settler’s
status. Both countries have agreed to comply with the facilitator’s determination
in good faith and a protocol has been established for the removal of any
settlers who do not meet the requirements or who are found to be outside
the zone. As they did in November, Guatemala has reaffirmed its commitment
to dissuade its citizens from establishing new settlements or joining
existing ones east of the adjacency line. This includes a programme to
identify land to the west of the adjacency line to be allocated to Guatemalan
settlers or residents who might be likely to try and settle east of the
zone. The delegations have agreed to begin ministerial level meetings
on February fifth at the Organization of American States headquarters
in Washington, D.C. The plan of action was signed by Ambassador Assad
Shoman on behalf of Belize, while Foreign Minister, Gabriel Orellana,
signed for Guatemala.
