UK Armed Forces Minister Ssays Belize Should Vote Yes!

Mark Lancaster

And so the timing of the signing of the agreement between both countries, following two aggressive incidents with the GAF in the Sarstoon, raises eyebrows.  Today in an interview with the UK Minister of State for Armed Forces, he was asked if this signing should be interpreted as a message to our neighbors in the west.  Mark Lancaster says that it really has nothing to do with the territorial dispute.  But when asked about going to the I.C.J., he said that looking in from the outside; he believes Belize should vote yes.

Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for UK Armed Forces

“Let me be absolutely clear that Belize as a sovereign state is responsible for its own defenses. As the Minister said, we have had a very long standing relationship. The timing of this particular treaty is simply because the last treaty has become out date and what we have done now by signing this treaty and the Memorandum of Understanding, we have future proofed really the ability for the UK Forces to be in Belize for another fifteen years. That is quite significant and when it comes to referendum you are having next year in April, I understand exactly why that referendum is happening. From the outside, I would encourage Belizeans to vote yes. I think it is very important with this long standing dispute between nations is taken to the ICJ. That seems to be the logical conclusion to that. But that is an independent issue to the UK presence here in Belize and the mutual support we have for out defense forces in trying to ensure that both our armies become ever more professional.”