US Ambassador Speaks About Border Dispute

Carlos Moreno

On Thursday, a group of journalists from across the local media participated in a round-table with U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno at the embassy in Belmopan.  During the forum a range of issues were discussed, including financial assistance offered to UNIBAM to advance its awareness campaign on stigma and discrimination, gay marriage, Belize’s border dispute with Guatemala, the justice system, as well as the ongoing investigation into the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ brother.  While the ambassador spoke at length on some topics, he was also very guarded in his response to several questions, including the status of former Minister of State Elvin Penner’s visa status, in light of the immigration scandal.  We begin with his comments on the age-old territorial claim where Moreno, a former judge, shared his thoughts on resolving the dispute.

Carlos Moreno, U.S. Ambassador to Belize

“The position of the United States government is in support of submitting this border issue to the International Court of Justice.  It’s a formalized, legal mechanism.  You know, my understanding is that this border dispute is over two hundred years in the making, there’s been many attempts over the ensuing years to address and to resolve that dispute.  I think at one point the United States was unsuccessful in attempting a mediation.  I think the present course, working through the OAS and the measures that have been taken by the Adjacency Zone personnel, in terms of building confidence measures, having fairly regular meetings between the respective military authorities and continuing the dialogue is the best course to proceed.  But in terms of taking one side, I will defer to the International Court of Justice for the proceeding.”

Reporter:

“Last October, Belize made a statement at the United Nations General Assembly calling for help to combat illegal activities particularly in the border area which is causing rapid degradation of Belizean forests.  Forests that have also provided training grounds for U.S military personnel and we would like to know if the U.S. would consider targeted project assistance to help reduce cross-border incursions by Guatemalans into Belize and particularly into Belize’s protected areas, the Chiquibul Forest being an area under heavy attack?”

Carlos Moreno

“That’s a very timely question.  In fact, this week I met with the OAS representatives who monitor the Adjacency Zone.  They provided me with some very startling information concerning incursions into the Chiquibul Forest in particular.  They encouraged me to do a flyover so that I could see the degree of degradation on the Guatemalan side of the disputed border, as well as to see some of the degradation that’s occurred on the Belizean side.  The United States Government is committed to assisting the Government of Belize in protecting and preserving its natural resources.”