Assad Shoman speaks to UB students on Belize/Guatemala Dispute
Students from the University of Belize, majoring in Belizean History, were today engaged in an hour-long discussion with former Foreign Minister Assad Shoman on the issue of the Belize/Guatemala Dispute. Shoman, in his erstwhile capacity as lead negotiator on the unsettled matter, spoke at length on where both countries are presently with respect of the unfounded claim. Organizing the discussion in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Cesar Ross.
Cesar Ross, Organizer
“The 1859 Treaty was a very significant thing and the impact that that had in the unfolding of the Belize/Guatemala issue one can say. But even more focus was on where we are at today; what are the opportunities today and what is the impact both in Guatemala and Belize on attempting to resolve this issue.”
Isani Cayetano
“What was the level of participation from some of the students? I know some questions were asked after the presentation was made in terms of maybe an evaluation or an assessment of their participation and their knowledge of the overall situation. What was that like?”
Cesar Ross
Cesar Ross
“Okay, there wasn’t a presentation per say. Mister Shoman made it clear that he wants a conversation and so he came in and I introduced him and started off with an initial question. And so in sharing that, then it opened the floor and students began asking questions on particular areas that they wanted clarifications. And also to find out for themselves because they will need to be able to do an analytical essay; an analytical work on what the case is at this point in time and where is it as a country we want to go in our options when it comes to the decision.”
Isani Cayetano
“How productive, in your opinion, would this session have been in terms of the information covered and its relevance to September for instance?”
Cesar Ross
“I think that because we are very focused on Belize and what Belize is—not only as a geographic element, but on the mental picture—we are entrusted in these elements that can shape, help or hinder the defining of what Belize is. So I think this is a good time. With more time, I think we could have had a better number of people, but he had always wanted it to be a cozy conversation.”
A forum on the Belize/Guatemala Dispute takes place Wednesday night at eight o’clock at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and will be aired live on this station.
