On Saturday May 2nd, a band of heavily armed persons with obvious extensive military training infiltrated our borders and came as close as any group from that country ever has, to making good on Guatemala’s perpetual threat to invade our sovereign nation. The most frightening part about this unfortunate incident is that it did not happen near the border but in fact, deep inside our territory and actually just a couple miles from Belmopan, our capital and the nucleus of our nation. The fact that this incident could have and actually did happen exposes vulnerability on our part and our lack of defense against such actions. One wonders then, if maybe the recently completed Tradewinds exercises should not have focused more on this probability which has in fact existed since time immemorial. The fact that the culprits escaped so easily, although they had to travel almost fifty miles down a sole existing route to the border is alarming and also exposes a deplorable inefficiency on the part of those we depend on to defend us and their inability to react in an adequate fashion. Of much concern is the report, and it came from credible sources, that a policeman in San Ignacio when contacted just minutes after the bandits left the scene, responded that it was in fact not his problem for it was out of his jurisdiction. There is something terribly wrong with such attitude and in itself presents another problem. This man is not worthy to be counted among our finest.

Another reason for grave concern should be the fact that because this maneuver was so easily executed, it makes it very likely that it will be tried again. It is imperative then that we take every measure to prevent it and to be more readily prepared to react if it should again be attempted.

Surfacing from this incident of course, have been many more rumors than facts and I believe that neither the media nor the authorities have treated it with the seriousness that it deserves. I also do not believe that the real severity of this calamity has truly been realized and it certainly warrants more than just the sparse coverage and attention that it has been given. This was no run of the mill criminal activity, and represents not only a hazard to the safety of every citizen of our country but a direct threat to the very sovereignty of our nation. While it seems quite evident that those who carried out this base operation was in fact from across the border, it is no less evident that they had help from others who are familiar with our turf. Maybe it is time that we pay closer attention to the alarming number of aliens that have easy access across our borders and to immediately begin to expel those who have settled here illegally. While as Minister Barrow suggested, the pencil of God has no eraser and there is indeed naught that we can do to undo that which is already done, we must take every possible step to prevent any future recurrence.

The one bright spot if we can call it that, is the fact that considering what could have happened, only one citizen was actually killed. Heartfelt condolences to the family of Henario Che and the fact that this man was a member of our own military service, adds grievance to this situation. I believe that our government should take the necessary steps to make the OAS and even the United Nations aware of this incident and to solicit their aid in ensuring that the Guatemalans give the utmost attention to bringing those responsible to justice. Somewhere in that country, there is a lot of BELIZEAN money and much jewelry that will eventually have to surface.

Of course, hardly had the dust from the departure of these undesirables cleared than BELIZEANS were rolling out the red carpet and giving a state welcome to Nobel peace prize winner Rigoberta Menchu Tum, herself a Guatemalan. It says much about the character of the BELIZEAN people when we do not allow the actions of a few to determine our attitude toward others. Menchu Tum is a remarkable woman whose incessant fight for the rights of her indigenous Mayan people of Guatemala, has earned her international acclaim and was in BELIZE as a guest of the University College of BELIZE. Ms Menchu addressed large audiences comprised mainly of students at both UCB and the Bliss Auditorium and entertained many questions in the process. Invariably one of the main concerns of our people seemed to center around her thoughts as they pertained to the long lasting dispute between our two countries. Ms Menchu assured us that she and the people she represents have a high regard for self representation and while she stopped short of outrightly acknowledging the sovereignty of BELIZE, left us no reason to believe that she was in any way opposed to it. In exchange for our solidarity with her cause, maybe she will extend her solidarity to ours.