Will Guatemala’s Disclosure be Made Public to Belize?
Will Guatemala’s disclosure relating to its claim over Belize be made public? It’s a question that is at the forefront of the minds of many. After all, Belizeans need to know what exactly Guatemala is seeking before the I.C.J. But PM Barrow could not provide a direct answer. It is a question, he promises, will be answered to all Belizeans in due time.
Isani Cayetano
“The timeline, in respect of going to the I.C.J., you’ve mentioned that Guatemala will have perhaps a year or so if I’m not mistaken in which it will lay its claim bear as to what exactly it’s seeking from Belize. Would that disclosure be made public to the masses of Belizeans or is this going to be something that will be between the government and its attorneys?”
Dean Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“You mean the case that the Guatemalans will file? I don’t know that it’s anything that would be secret. I would think that, well I know, speaking for myself that I would find it a very daunting task to read through all that. But, again, I would have to check. I imagine the filings may be a matter of public record but I really don’t know. I don’t. I am sorry Isani, I don’t want to misspeak. I am not sure; I would have to find that out.”
Isani Cayetano
“I ask because there seems to be some confusion as to what exactly Guatemala wants from Belize in terms of either land or its maritime areas or what have you. So we just wanted to get an idea of what exactly would it be when that time comes that they provide the disclosure?”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Well sure, even if the brief that is filed by Guatemala doesn’t become a matter of public record, not something to be circulated generally, for sure we would be able to know from it the extent of the claim and we can have the lawyers brief you the media and the Belizean public as to what the position is. That cannot be a matter for any kind of secrecy and in fact is a matter, you’re perfectly right, that would need to be ventilated so that as soon as we know the extent we should communicate that to you and to the public.”
