Diplomats prepare to present Belize case at OAS

While most Belizeans are celebrating the third day of a three-day holiday weekend, a handful of lawyers and diplomats will be in Washington D.C. performing in the final act of our latest drama with Guatemala. Monday marks the opening of oral arguments at the OAS under the current negotiating framework supervised by that regional body. Putting forth Belize’s case before Secretary General Cesar Gaviria and the two facilitators will be Ambassadors Assad Shoman, Eamon Courtenay and Fred Martinez, along with British barrister Edward Fitzgerald. They will be assisted by a high-ranking team of technicians and advisors. Guatemala will make the opening presentation from 10:00 to 12:00 Monday morning, followed by Belize’s team from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. On Tuesday morning Guatemala will make its rebuttal from 10:00 to 11:00 and Belize will follow from 11:30 to 12:30. From 3:30 to 5:30 Tuesday afternoon Gaviria and facilitators Sir Shridath Ramphal and Paul Reichler, will pose questions and each side will also be free to question the other, under the direction of the facilitators. Wednesday, May twenty-third is reserved for additional discussion, if it is needed. The proceedings are closed to television cameras, but the text of the arguments will be available to the public. At some point around the end of the month the facilitators are expected to have their say–and depending on any conclusions they may reach, we will see exactly where the Guatemalan claim is headed. On last night’s edition of One on One, host Dickie Bradley asked negotiator Fred Martinez just what the Guatemalans want.

Dickie Bradley, Host, One on One

“It is a fact that Guatemala put on paper and actually put in and said half of Belize is ours?”

Fred Martinez, Negotiating Team Member

“Yes, Guatemala has handed in a written claim and it says that anything from the Sibun down belongs to her including all the islands, with the exception of St. George’s Caye.”

St. George’s Caye is left off Guatemala’s wish list presumably because it was recognised by the Spanish as a British outpost.