Musa leaves door open to UDP
It was likely his last State of the Nation address before facing the electorate sometime next summer…and while the Prime Minister’s annual speech would normally be scrutinised heavily, this year it was the anti-climactic ending to an historic week that saw the release of the proposals to settle the Guatemalan claim. For the diplomatic corps, which must sit through yet another outdoor event tomorrow morning, the heat was almost unbearable, especially since most were inadvertently issued invitations saying the special session of the National Assembly would start at nine instead of ten and had to sweat an extra hour. The address itself recounted the familiar tale of a tiny nation struggling against the tide of worldwide recession and unfair globalisation… yet still projecting an impressive growth rate for 2002 of six percent. But the real story in Belmopan this morning was the evolving drama of the proposals. Back in the air-conditioned comfort of his office, Prime Minister Said Musa told News 5 that he is still hopeful that the issue can remain above partisan politics.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I have not had any private meetings–since the proposals were released–with the Leader of the Opposition, or indeed with anyone from the Executive. But yes, it is certainly my hope and it is my desire that we should maintain the bipartisan spirit and work in this whole exercise. I see that as critical and as vital to this exercise, bearing in mind that it’s not our decision we’re talking about, it’s a decision that will affect the lives of all Belizeans and I see this very clearly in my mind as a matter of state. So yes, and you would have noticed in my presentation yesterday, I did everything possible I could to keep the door open to the Opposition. And I believe that left-they call it a window-but there is an opening there and we will do everything possible to satisfy their concerns, to meet what they call their conditions. But the only way that can be done is if we work together. For instance, as an example in the drafting of the treat satisfactory to them, that can only come about if they sit down with us immediately, and we begin drafting a treaty in accordance with the proposals.”
Stewart Krohn
“Are you concerned about the situation across the border?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“Yes, but I felt a little more relieved this morning when I read a copy of the Prensa Libre report on the interview given by the Foreign Minister, who sounded rather far more positive and constructive than his Vice Minister. In effect he’s saying that we can’t talk about going to a court until the matter is put to the people, that is the decision that the Government of Guatemala is heading towards, that the people must decide. Only if the people vote no, then they would consider taking it to an international court.”
Stewart Krohn
“What about the wrinkle that again we read of in the Guatemalan press that before there can be a referendum in Guatemala, the Guatemalan Congress has to approve that such a referendum be held?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“The important decision that will have to be taken is whether the President approves that it should go forward. Because the simple truth, the political reality is that the F.R.G., the president of the party, does control the majority in the Congress. So I have no doubt that once he sends it there, it will move front; at least that is my belief.”
Stewart Krohn
“On the question of the delimitation of the northern part of the border with Guatemala, looking at the map, it appears to the layman that you could not change that border without affecting Mexico. Have you had any discussions with the Mexicans, and are you aware of what their attitude may be toward this process?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“My understanding is that there have been preliminary discussions with the Mexicans when this problem surfaced in the course. You will recall there was the Peeler report and various missions that came to verify the line. And I believe that’s when it first dawned on us that there is a problem here, at least to my knowledge. It might have been known to others before, but when it came to my attention was following the OAS check on the line. And I believe that shortly thereafter, discussions were held with the Mexican Government, and my clear understanding is that the Mexicans want to be as helpful as possible in this whole process and will not stand in the way.”
Stewart Krohn
“The proposals were only presented earlier this week on Tuesday. Today is Friday, what is your reaction to how the events have transpired so far?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I am very pleased with the reaction of the people in the sense that there is a clear feeling that we want to know what this thing is all about. Give us a chance you politicians, don’t try and rush to judgement or tell us what to do, we have the intelligence, we have the maturity, we will make up our own minds. That’s the feeling, that’s the open-mind concept I believe has caught on and the Belizean people really want to understand this thing before making up their minds, and I think that’s very healthy. I have no doubt that if this process can continue in this positive light with people asking questions, and indeed we must give everyone the opportunity to raise all their concerns, some of it justified, some totally unjustified. But this is what democracy is all about and I think it’s been going extremely well.”
Musa’s optimism was confirmed by press reports from Guatemala in which Foreign Minister Gabriel Orellana was quoted as taking a far more favourable attitude toward the proposals than that displayed by his deputy, Ramiro Ordonez. Orellana emphasized the economic benefits of the two hundred million U.S. dollar development fund–money that would go largely to Guatemala–, the two thousand square mile special economic zone in the Gulf of Honduras and the tri-national park covering the Sapodilla Cayes.
