PM on Beached Guatemalan Gun Boat

Last week, we tried to get an official comment on the assessment of damages cause by the Guatemalan gunboat, Tecum Uman, running on the reef near Middle Caye. That comment was not forthcoming, but today PM Barrow confirmed that it is completed and a dollar figure has been assessed. According to the PM, that bill, so to speak, will now be sent to Guatemala for collection.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“The people who were doing that assessment…I gave authorization for them to tell you. I think the damage is assessed at forty-six thousand dollars and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is therefore sending a note, but they want to send proper advice, legal advice as well, in terms of how you frame this because it is sovereign state to sovereign state. But the claim will go out now that the quantum of the damage done has been formalized.”

Reporter

“I know you have already pronounced yourself on it, but I would not be doing my job if I don’t ask you why it was that you asked the Coastguard on Sarstoon Island to back off and then if there is any update.”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“Ma’am, I’ve said to you. You’ve heard from the Minister of Foreign Affairs; you’ve heard from the C.E.O. in the Ministry of National Security and ultimately you heard from Commander Bennett who was there and who told you what happened. I refuse to have anybody try to get me to say something that might contradict what Commander Bennett said. I endorse what Commander Bennett said, as I must, because he was there. He told you what happened. I cannot add to that.”

Reporter

“But you had input; there was involvement on your part.”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I cannot add to that…if there was involvement on my part diplomatically, in terms of what happened on the ground. I cannot add to what Commander Bennett said. End of story.”