Did John Saldivar Jump the Gun on Sarstoon Excursion?

Perhaps the most striking of his many responses during the subsequent question and answer session is the fact that Cabinet has not discussed or sanctioned a series of proposed excursions to Gracias A Dios via the Sarstoon River.  Last Tuesday, the Ministry of National Security announced on its social media page that planned visits to the southernmost reaches of the country are being organized for citizens to familiarize themselves with the area ahead of the April 2019 referendum.  While he did not throw cold water on the notion, the Prime Minister did acknowledge that there are national security concerns since the area of the Sarstoon River remains hostile territory.

Reporter

“How does this fit in with the Minister of National Security’s, I believe he gives a guided tour downriver?”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I’m not, that hasn’t come to Cabinet and so I am not too sure that we are of air with all the details.  If the minister has announced a guided tour I am sure he absolutely knows what he’s about but I would withhold comment until Cabinet can talk about this tomorrow.”

Reporter

“As chairman of the National Security Council, isn’t that a security issue?”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“No doubt, but I haven’t chaired a meeting of the National Security Council for a while because I haven’t been here.  We’re having one, I think, next week.  But National Security Council apart, the Cabinet surely will want to know what’s up with this notion, what the details are and so there will without a doubt be a discussion tomorrow.”