COLA Renews Call for F.M. Elrington’s Head

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Dean Barrow at a press conference threw his Foreign Minister, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, under the bus for comments that have inflamed Belizeans on numerous issues related to the Guatemalan claim. The PM established that he is the authority on the issue. This morning, the grassroots organization, COLA, launched its Protect Belize campaign in grand style and Elrington again finds himself at the heart of the campaign.  COLA repeated its call for Elrington’s head for his purported gaffes and mishandling of the territorial dispute, including the most recent incursion of the Sarstoon by the Guatemalan military.  The organization also wants G.O.B. to start, without delay, the construction of the forward operating base.   News Five’s Isani Cayeano was at the press conference and has the following report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The symbolic torching of the image of Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington by nonaligned grassroots organization COLA in July 2012, in many ways commenced an informal campaign to have him removed from his post as Belize’s chief government representative abroad.  While that crusade has since proven futile, recent events, particularly those regarding the contentious territorial dispute with Guatemala, have renewed activism demanding Elrington’s dismissal from office.

Geovanni Brackett

Geovanni Brackett, President, COLA

“We are dissatisfied with you, and all the organizations that support COLA and every rational person, as you would have it described, saying to you, resign, resign, resign. Now!”

That call, resolute in conviction, succeeds what many believe is yet another misstep in the handling of the recent expedition by the Belize Territorial Volunteers to Sarstoon Island.  Bear in mind, the Barrow administration did not approve of, nor did it provide cover for the perilous mission.

Geovanni Brackett

“Where is the spine by our government and the testicular fortitude to defend this people of Belize?  Where is your courage? Apart from the vague sentiments expressed by the foreign minister every time he goes on television, this government has been sleeping on the job concerning events in the Sarstoon and along the border.  When was the last time either Prime Minister Barrow or Foreign Minister Elrington or anyone in authority visited these areas for themselves.  The BTV has asked them to do so repeatedly, yet they have refused.  Mr. Prime Minister, you didn’t have to rely on second or third hand information from bias agents like the O.A.S., you could have been there yourself like a true leader.  But you backed yourself into a corner by shouting loud and long that G.O.B. would have nothing to do with BTV’s expedition.”

To make matters worse, the beleaguered foreign minister opted to wait on a report from the O.A.S. to determine whether or not the Guatemalan navy had indeed entered into Belizean waters illegally during the planned trip to Sarstoon Island.  COLA’s ire is directed squarely at Prime Minister Barrow.

Geovanni Brackett

“We are angry with you and your government for keeping Wilfred Elrington, in our view, a useless charlatan as foreign minister.  In our view your government has effectively failed to defend the territory of Belize, failed to continue internationalizing Belize’s position on the unfounded Guatemalan claim and have been reluctant in taking steps to dismantle and persuade against the arguments of the Guatemalans.  Like the recent misspeak, in quotes, by their foreign minister over military bases which in fact had nothing to do with law enforcement and was a red herring to distract the press and others seeking aid and comfort.”

COLA’s platform, unveiled this morning during an hourlong press conference, seeks to achieve three ends: remove Sedi Elrington as foreign minister, build the forward operating base on Sarstoon Island and revisit all existing agreements with Guatemala.  This, says Rufus X, can only be accomplished by bringing pressure to bear on government.

Rufus X

Rufus X, Executive Member, COLA

“If we get out there and confront the government in masses and say we want our B.D.F. facilities on the border next to Guatemalan soldiers they would be bound to build the base.  There’s nothing impossible.  If they want a base built why don’t they contract me to build it?”

Geovanni Brackett

“Really Mr. Prime Minister, the reasons you give why a forward operating base is not practical on the Sarstoon because it is swampy, mosquitoes will eat our military and give them dengue.  I mean if it was not so serious it would be comical, it would be a joke if it was not that serious.  Military outposts are not the Hilton, they’re not the Ramada, they’re not the Radisson.  They are military outposts and our soldiers are trained and paid to defend this country and I would say that our soldiers they want to defend this country.  It’s the government that’s stopping them from defending this country.”

The anti-Guatemalan sentiment, not surprisingly, remains at an all-time high.  That emotion is heightened by an incident that reportedly occurred across the western border on Sunday in neighboring Melchor de Mencos where Belizeans flock in numbers to do business.

Geovanni Brackett

“As far as I know, Melchor needs Belize more than we need Melchor.  I would rather have us go over to Chetumal every single day than to go over to Melchor, to a foreign country that does not recognize us.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.