G.O.B. to Tie Up Loose Ends Ahead of Haiti Mission

Francis Fonseca

Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca has also weighed in on recent developments in the Kenyan High Court regarding a humanitarian mission to Haiti.  A team of fifty Belize Defense Force soldiers is presently training with their Canadian counterparts ahead of the mission, but a lot hangs in the balance now that the Kenyan government hasn’t received the green light to proceed with the mission.  According to Minister Fonseca, there are a number of logistical considerations and loose ends to be tied up at home before we send our soldiers to Haiti.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“As you know, Belize is committed to joining the CARICOM, what they call the multinational security support mission.  So Belize has already made that commitment, but obviously, there are a number of outstanding issues that have to be cleared up.  You know, the whole logistics of the mission, the financing of the mission.  There has been a lot of talk about financing the mission, but there had been no final discussions about how it will be financed.  That’s a concern for all of us in CARICOM.  The exit strategy.  So there are outstanding issues, Belize is committed to participating but obviously we want to ensure that if we send our soldiers into Haiti that they will be safe, that we will not be sending them into a situation where they are going to lose their lives or be injured.  So there are a number of outstanding issues, as I said.”

Isani Cayetano

“If the decision of the Kenyan High Court stands, would Belize be prepared to follow another country’s lead in terms of this humanitarian mission to Haiti?”

Francis Fonseca

“Yeah, I mean that’s a hypothetical, so, you know, I don’t want to answer that.  It all depends on who that country is and, of course, the other issues remain pertaining and remain relevant.  Who will finance the mission, what are the logistical arrangements that will ensure success for the mission?  What is the exit strategy if we do go into Haiti.  You know, it’s an absolute crisis, nightmare in Haiti right now.  The country is effectively run by three or four gangs who have effectively divided up the country among themselves.”