An Update on I.C.J. Developments

Things have been fairly quiet since the historic decision, following a referendum on May eighth, to proceed to the International Court of Justice to settle the longstanding territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala.  While the lull was expected, we asked Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington for an update on the process.  He says that Belize is still in the process of putting together its legal team.

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“All I can say is that we have been working on the issue of the retaining of our legal team and I think that Mr. Assad Shoman is presently engaged in trying to finalize that part of it.  In the meantime, I imagine the Guatemalans are preparing their case and as soon as we have our legal team in place they will be doing more work on it.  I do know that we have been doing more work on it in terms of research and the like.  So all things seem to be going well in that quarter.”

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington

Reporter

“By that, what exactly do you mean because we had several attorneys in place already.  You’re adding, where is the intention to get them from?”

Wilfred Elrington

“There was recommendation made which the prime minister took onboard that we should invite other firms to express interest and we look at the proposal they put to us.  That was done and that has been dealt with.”

Isani Cayetano

“So what becomes of Fairfields and the other partners?”

Wilfred Elrington

“It doesn’t mean that they will not be involved.  I am saying, as we speak, Ambassador Shoman is negotiating with them to see if we could get the best deal.  We always try to get the best deal for Belize.”