Giovanni Brackett Says, “Why Go to O.A.S. for Permission to Build F.O.B.?”

Geovanni Brackett

COLA’s position on the issue of the construction of an F.O.B. in the Sarstoon echoes that of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and Vision Inspired by the People.  Brackett reiterates that it goes without saying that the coastguard installation would be built on Belizean soil, and as such there is absolutely no need for the Organization of American States to give its stamp of approval.

Geovanni Brackett, President, COLA

“In regards to the forward operating base, it’s pretty simply Isani, you and I would know that the policy in this country is that if you own a land you have to occupy it, build some sort of structure, some vegetation, something to prove ownership or else if somebody comes and builds on your land and claim it and you didn’t put a fence or something there to show some activity then you may stand a very good chance of losing your property or getting into a legal debacle.  If we owned the Sarstoon, and we do own, we have been taught that we own eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven square miles from we were children.  Now the minister is telling us that we don’t own so much or we’re not even sure and so we can’t move forward with this base because we’re not sure.  That is what he is saying by his comments.  So, because we are not sure we have to wait for the O.A.S.  We have to wait because we are already on the road to the ICJ.  Even if you were of the position that we should go to the ICJ, I would consider the minister’s statement as material evidence and if you play that in court and say, “look here, even the foreign minister says that how they have to wait and because they’re not sure.”  I think that he has destroyed even the case for those who believe that we had any chance by his reckless statement.  You know how they always say, Isani, in the media; don’t speak on a matter that is before the courts.  This isn’t even before the courts and he is running off his mouth as if though, one, he is not certain what Belize owns and two, that we have any kind of sovereignty.”