Belize and Guatemala Army Generals Meet in Washington

As we said earlier, Brigadier General Jones met with Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Eduardo Perez, Chief of Defense Staff of the Guatemalan army. Guatemala proposes that the head of the armies define procedures to access the Sarstoon. At the discussions, that proposed mechanism was not formalized. Elrington also says that the blockage of News Five to traverse the river last Thursday, had no bearing on the talks even though Government had indicated in a release that it would have impact.  So what’s the truth?

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“The entire negotiation is in relation to the Sarstoon.  The objective is to have in place something similar to what we have in place for the western border and that takes time but we are working on it.”

Isani Cayetano

“Is there a defined mechanism that has been established by the two generals?”

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington

“Well yes, there is a mechanism.  We are going to be putting in place something in writing which ultimately is going to encapsulate all the issues that we think are going to be relevant in relation to this matter.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now in a release that was issued by government last week with regards to a trip that we headed down south, it indicated that the tone of the meetings held in Washington would have been hinged on that investigation of the Channel Five trip to the Sarstoon.  Can you give us a comment on that?”

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington

“I don’t know if that had anything to do with it.  As far as I know, the Channel Five meeting down in the Sarstoon had no impact on what we discussed yesterday.  As far as I know.”

Reporter

“Was there any discussion yesterday as to what happens in the meantime, in terms of civilians who want to go to the Sarstoon?”

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington

“I think that was signaled from the time the prime minister allowed the statutory instrument to be withdrawn.  We took the position that Belizeans can go and come from the time we withdrew that statutory instrument.”

Reporter

“But it’s obvious that civilians cannot go, they do not have untrammeled access.”

Wilfred ’Sedi’ Elrington

“I don’t know if it is so obvious.  I do not know whether it is so obvious.  I don’t know where you have your facts from I don’t know if it is so obvious.”