Courtenay Says Foreign Minister is Embarrassing Belize

Eamon Courtenay

Elrington’s opinion continues to raise the ire of many, including his predecessor.  According to Courtenay, the foreign minister, under the Maritime Areas Act, is charged with authorizing the preparation of maps and charts to define Belize’s nautical boundaries.  He says that Elrington should follow what is outlined in the act to avoid humiliating the country.

Isani Cayetano

“Doesn’t it make us seem as if though we’re unclear of either what our coordinates are, if I may, with regards to either maritime or terrestrial boundaries for him to say it is not clearly delimited, to say well this is where Guatemalan waters begin or international waters and this is where Belizean maritime areas are?”

Eamon Courtenay, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs

“But there is a truth which he cannot escape.  During a facilitation process the OAS commissioned the Institute of Geography and History, the Pan American Institute of Geography and History to redo a tracing of the boundary as set out in the 1859 treaty.  That was done and that entire survey exists and it confirms the integrity and certainty of our boundaries.  So I don’t see how the foreign minister can be in any doubt.  I said the other day and I repeat, under the Maritime Areas Act there is a duty on the foreign minister to actually cause charts and boundaries to be drawn to ensure that there is certainty as to where our boundaries are as defined by the Maritime Areas Act.  So if he is confused, if he is in doubt then he must do his job and have the proper charts done professionally so that it can be cleared up for his sake so that he doesn’t continue to embarrass the country.”