Belmopan Area Rep Says Belize’s I.C.J. Case Not Similar to Other Cases

John Saldivar

Minister of National Security John Saldivar also weighed in on the I.C.J. referendum today. He says that he is for going to the I.C.J. and believes that it is the best way to solve the issue. When he was asked about the possibility of losing maritime waters based on other cases in the region, Saldivar says he doesn’t believe Belize will lose any of its maritime waters and that these cases do not have any similarity to Belize and Guatemala’s dispute.

John Saldivar, Minister of National Security

“I am very pro going to the I.C.J. and my personal view has always been that is the best way to solve the issue.”

Reporter

“Have you attempted to look at it from a maritime perspective? Are you aware of what is happening with Colombia and Nicaragua? They had a ruling several years ago and they are going back again because they are not satisfied in the way it was ruled over the territorial waters?”

John Saldivar

“I have no difficulty at all with respect to our territorial seas. The law of the seas will be followed and that is the instruction that the court has that it must follow the established laws with respect to treaties, with respect to boundaries in the maritime areas.”

Reporter

“But in that case, waters were taken away from Colombia and now Colombia has decided it will no longer respect the I.C.J.”

John Saldivar

“There is no basis for that in Belize. There is no basis; there is no similarity with respect to the cases. There is no basis for the court to take away any of our territorial seas.”