Will Belizeans Accept Majid Khan Despite his Past?
Majid Khan
The initial request was for Belize to consider as many as three detainees from Guantanamo Bay, but on the recommendation of the National Security Advisor, Cabinet only agreed on one individual. According to Tina Kaidanow, the hope is that Khan would be able to fully assimilate into Belizean society and become a productive citizen. Khan’s wife and daughter are expected to also move to Belize from Pakistan in the weeks ahead.
Reporter
“I have heard that Belize was asked to resettle more than one but the final decision only favored Mr. Khan. But will there be future asks in the foreseeable future and second, will other neighboring nations be asked also to resettle some of these detainees?”
Tina Kaidanow
Tina Kaidanow, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
“I think our focus right now is very much on the successful resettlement of Mr. Khan. That is the only thing we’re sort of all preoccupied with at this moment. We want it to go off well. I don’t think we would come back with a whole lot of other requests in the near future because that is our real focus. And let me just say also that I hope, I really hope that if you encounter Mr. Khan anywhere, I hope people will say hello.”
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We have, with the resources provided by the United States government, arranged for a house to be purchased, to be furnished. A car will be bought that he selects. He has his phone, laptop, all the amenities that a person would want to start a life. And I won’t say where, but he will, the house is in a neighborhood in this country. He will have neighbors and I don’t expect that he will be any type of person who would be described as a bad neighbor. All the funds for his resettlement are being borne by the government of the United States of America.”
In statement issued this evening by the Leader of the Opposition, Shyne Barrow informed that he was also consulted by the U.S. State Department regarding the relocation of Majid Khan to Belize. Barrow said, “Mr. Khan has paid his debt for his offenses and cooperated with authorities to prevent further terrorism. While I rely on the forty-two years of bilateral relations we have shared with the U.S. as one of our most trusted partners with whom we have shared much mutually beneficial cooperation, I more importantly rely on the fact that as much as I vehemently oppose many of many of the Briceño administration‘s policies, we are all Belizean patriots above all else and would never do anything to put Belizeans at risk no matter who is asking”.
