Foreign Minister says U.S. must have a say in drug situation
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
Elrington says that the discussion caught most country representatives off-guard and that the situation was somewhat confusing as some representatives thought it might have been a Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting. But how does Belize fit in? Elrington’s response was that the meeting should not be held without the United States which considers drug trafficking as a national security issue.
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Really and truly there was some confusion. It seemed to have been an initiative on the part of the Guatemalan president, Otto Perez Molina. It was an idea that he had to discuss the question of the decriminalization of drug trafficking and drug consumption it seems in the region. This was an unusual type of meeting because we hadn’t gotten any advance information as to precisely what would have been discussed. It was not until we got there and the meeting started that he articulated the four points that he had in mind—matters involving drug trafficking and the like. and the use to which the resources that would be put from the proceeds of regulated sales of drugs; it seems to me.”
Jose Sanchez
“Why would we need a court if it would be decriminalized? What was your impression, what was your reaction to hearing the proposal?”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“I think most people were a little surprised and taken a back. It really should have been; it was not clear. Normally when we meet, we meet as a SICA group and a SICA meeting. The Secretary General of SICA who was present declared almost when he got up to speak that it really wasn’t a SICA meeting also. The Nicaraguan Representative who was there, I think he was a vice-minister, he wanted to know what really was it—what kind of meeting it was. But we did not articulate that publically. So it was a little confusing. It was intended to be a summit of all the presidents and Prime Ministers of the SICA region, [but] it turned out that only the Panamanian president and the Costa Rican president turned up along with the Guatemalan president.”
Jose Sanchez
“Did anyone agree with Guatemalan President?”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“No. actually as I said, it took most people by surprise and people expressed views on the matter. When it was our turn to speak on it, I said that the trafficking of drugs in this region, as far as we are aware, is regarded as a national security interest for the United States and that the United States would see it as inimical to their interest to have any of the counties in this region think about decriminalizing drug trafficking and the use of drugs. And given their power and dominance in the region, it would not be helpful for us in the region to be discussing it without in fact the presence of the United States. You can’t realistically discuss it and expect to come to any conclusion if in fact you did not have the United States at the table because of course they control what happens in the region.”
Jose Sanchez
“But what would be our country’s viewpoint? To me it sounds like something that would go against our constitution, our justice system would consider to be criminal.”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“This as I said, we did not get any brief from the Guatemalan or SICA as to precisely what they would have been discussing. And it is not a matter that the Belize government has discussed and taken a position on. I do know that late last year, Minister Singh had raised the thought of certainly not prosecuting people found with small quantities and there are some countries in the world that in fact allow the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes.”
Aside from Guatemala and Costa Rica, the only other president present was from Panama.
What the Guatemalans says here is what you should do. The profits from the sale of drugs could be used to help with the poverty. It is the USA that has the drug problem, It is the USA that has and wants the drug war, it is the USA that sells the guns to the drug gangs. So why is it so many CA people pay the price.
Sedi, we need to worry about BELIZE AND ITS PEOPLE , NOT AMERICA!!!!!. The americans are junkies and addicts hence the drugs !
There we see how the Uncle Sam has Belize right where it wants it to be. Elrington is not worried about Belize’s well being, growth, or our national security. He was worried about the US hegemony. He was worried that Belize would be sanctioned by the US. The use promotes the war on drugs, have the greatest demand for drugs, greatest prisoner rates (in the world), and is zealous about cutting of the drugs in Latin America. Yet, this war, promotes secrecy, facilitates violence, and reduces potential government revenue.
P.S. This is not political party based. I am convinced that either of Belize’s political party would have done the same because of the US influence in Belize. Just look at the size of their embassy in Belmp
Sedi is the most leveled minded Belizean in the GOB, what Sedi is saying is correct beyond the shadow of a doubt, no one in there right mind will hold discussions, come to conclusions and make decisions such as what the Guate Pres. is saying without some level of consultation with the US. Without the blessings of the good ole US of A such statements do not hold water. “No body back wata inna basket”. It is so sad that there are so many people in Belize with an opinion about matters that they have absolutely no knowledge about. Sedi is absolutely correct, the issue of illicit drugs is much larger than Guatemala, Belize and the entire Central and South American Nations put together coupled with Mexico and Europe. Fool di talk but da no fool di listen. Wake up Belize, check out what is happening in Afgahnistan? Vietnam? North Korea? and the rest of the World including Israel? Do you think all of this is about People’s well being? On a much lower level you have just re-elected the former GOB, based on emotions and sentiments filled with lies, sounds bites and the whole nine yards, yet many of you behave like you have some knowledge, wisdom and understanding of what is going on the World’s Stage.
Wow!!!! I am Sooooooo proud of ALL OF YOU ABOVE, MY FELLOW BELIZEANS…YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELL SAID!!!!! I could not have done a better job!!!!
We know what they will say; “it is our fault and your government needs to do more”. They only want to controle it they do not want to erradicate it. You want to tell me they have the might to get men on the moon and they cannot control drug consumption? They can over throw countries and mine harours and they cannot control drug consumption in the US? If drugs would go away tomorrow there would be tens of thousands of Americans out of work because all the law enforcement agents would be laid off and every thing (uniforms, supplies, equipment, weapons…) they need to do their jobs would stop selling and many other factories and businesses would close down; hence the reason they want to control it and not erradicate it. thinks about it!
THATS WHY AMERICANS WILL NEVER NEVER STOP THE DRUGS.IF ITS LEGALISIDE THEY WILL COME DOWN.