Reichler and Ramphal will drive negotiations

Two people who are neither Guatemalan nor Belizean, but will have a major impact on the negotiations are the facilitators, one nominated by each of the two parties to the dispute. Guatemala has appointed well-known U.S. international lawyer, Paul Reichler, while Belize has chosen veteran diplomat and former Commonwealth Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal. The pair arrived from Miami early this afternoon and will use their short time in Belize and Guatemala to get a better understanding of the situation on the ground.

Paul Reichler, Guatemalan Appointed Facilitator

“Of course ultimately, the success of this effort will depend on the governments of Belize and Guatemala. But Sir Shridath and I and certainly with the support of the Secretary General in the OAS, will do everything we can to assist them. Given the good will and the maturity and the wisdom that the governments of both countries, Belize and Guatemala, have shown to this date we start this process with optimism that their good judgment and their commitment to peace and to justice and to fairness and to law will prevail.”

Question: What direction do you expect this negotiation to take?”

Sir Shridath Ramphal, Belizean Appointed Facilitator

“I expect it to take a smooth path because the foundations for it have been laid on the basis of trust and the commitment to good faith, and to a process which is to be given the best chance of success, in which the parties have agreed to create and environment over the life of this process, in which it will have the best chance of finding a way forward and a final resolution.”

The current negotiations between Belize and Guatemala are the most carefully orchestrated to date. Working under the umbrella of the Organisation of American States, the facilitators will study submissions made by both governments and shortly make recommendations regarding a framework for resolving the dispute. The facilitators have been contracted to work for a year starting on August 31st, but their mission can be extended if necessary. The early betting is that by the time they’re finished Reichler and Ramphal will have forgotten more about Guatemala and Belize than most of us will ever know.