Guat. Ambassador “We have to solve the problem”
While the facilitators in the current effort to end the Guatemalan claim continue to stall for time, the inevitable rumours and speculation have begun to proliferate, both in the press and on the streets. On yesterday’s newscast we spoke to Foreign Minister Assad Shoman and our Ambassador to Guatemala, Moises Cal. Today we look at the issue through the eyes of the other side. This afternoon News 5’s Janelle Chanona sat down with Guatemala’s resident ambassador Jorge Skinner-Klee. Her first question sought his opinion on talk of land swaps and border adjustments.
Jorge Skinner-Klee, Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize
“This is merely hearsay and I won’t dare to comment on hearsay, rumours, or speculations. I think the process has that to offer, it is a venue that is unimpeachable, so we better wait to see what the two facilitators have to say.”
Janelle Chanona
“Now when they come back with the proposals, the matter is supposed to go to a referendum. What is the mood in Guatemala like towards that process? Is there anybody in particular that is against the government for agreeing to that?”
Jorge Skinner-Klee
“Unfortunately this is an issue that’s very divisive, both here and in Guatemala. Some of us are more reasonable and perhaps more objective, some of us are less objective and more emotional about it. I believe that both peoples in Belize and Guatemala have a lot of maturing to do about this question. This is something that we inherited, we didn’t create it. We just have to deal with it, we have to solve it. I think the facilitation process is probably one of the best ways that we can tackle the problem and I won’t dare to speculate what our peoples are going to do with their…once they receive the recommendations. Yes both have to be put to the people, for referendum and yes there are people in many camps, both here and in Guatemala that have their own opinions, some of them are very frank and very objective studious opinions, some of them are merely opinions. I would wait for both heads of Government to receive the recommendations and for them as leaders of their nation to set about the task of selling it to the people and see what the people have to say.”
“Yes in the case of Guatemala it’s about twelve million inhabitants out of which five and a half will vote or come to polls, and in your case it’s probably about a hundred and something thousand. But that’s the way civilised, peaceful and neighbours should operate. And I’m all for it, I think it’s an interesting time and it’s a time that will eventually lead to a better future, that is one where no fears are at stake, one where yes you can have differences but that doesn’t mean you are going to have somebody trample on your rights. And I think that’s one of the things we’re trying to salvage. Guatemala’s right, quote unquote, whether unfounded or not, has to be adjudicated.”
Janelle Chanona
“Knowing how the Belizeans feel about giving up any part of its territory no matter how small, do you think the Guatemalan people will be able to accept a settle that does not include acquiring any land?”
Jorge Skinner-Klee
“It’s a good question, but it’s one I won’t venture to theorise about because we don’t know what the package quote unquote is. We know that the terms under which the recommendations are going to be given, it’s been agreed. There are certain points the recommendations must delve on. What the recommendations will entail we don’t know that. But in the case and supposing that no land cession is to be recommended, that depends on the rest of the package and the attitude of politicians as well as the media in Guatemala regarding that package.”
No date has been set for the presentation of the facilitators’ proposals, but an announcement is expected to be made before month’s end. It is envisioned that voting would take place in each country on the same day, approximately two months after the formal release of the recommendations.
