Guatemalan Gov’t takes timid approach

While Belizeans were busy today trying to digest the proposals and wade through the political spin, our thoughts could not help but wander across the border. After speaking to Guatemalans and reading their newspapers on the internet, the clear impression is emerging that not only are anti-government elements opposed to the proposals, but the government’s own attitude appears to be lukewarm at best. While in Belize the presentation’s head table was filled with top brass from home and abroad, in Guatemala City the proposals were presented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ramiro Ordonez. There was no Gabriel Orellana, no Alfonso Portillo, no Paul Reichler and no Cesar Gaviria. This morning we asked OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Enaudi to explain what was going on.

Luigi Enaudi, Assistant Secretary General, OAS

“What is going on is different governments, different systems, different decisions and desires. As far as the OAS is concerned, the Government of Guatemala made clear some time ago that they wanted us present, but they wanted us at the right moment after the initial smoke had cleared and the battlefield lines were drawn so that we could be most effective. The Government of Belize took the position that they wanted us to help present and explain from the beginning.”

Stewart Krohn

“You said when the smoke clears we’ll see where the battle lines are drawn. It looks like, “A” there’s a lot of smoke and it looks like there are precious few soldiers on the pro side of the battle lines. Let me ask specifically, what are the consequences of an outcome in which, let us hypothesize that Belize votes yes and Guatemala votes no. What are the consequences for Belize, for Guatemala and for the process?”

Luigi Enaudi

“Strictly speaking, if that were to happen, I think it would be quite bad for the process and ultimately quite bad for both countries. Both countries benefit, both countries have a stake in its success. I am actually confident that Guatemala will look at this and reach a balanced and therefore favourable conclusion.”

According to the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre, Vice Minister Ordonez remarked that “Guatemala is satisfied that for the first time in history a negotiation process on the Belize issue has arrived at a conclusion.” What the government of Alfonso Portillo will do to support that conclusion is not known at this time.