Guatemalan Claim discussed in Washington
Wilfred Elrington
With national elections now behind in both Belize and Guatemala, the first round of discussions on a timeline for a referendum in respect of the territorial dispute will take place later this week. Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington earlier today departed for Washington where a ministerial meeting will take place with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros to determine an agenda for the proposed referendum. Since negotiations have been exhausted, the meeting is being held at the request of OAS Secretary General Miguel Insulza. The special agreement signed between both countries in 2008, also known as a compromis, makes provisions for the dispute to be taken to the International Court of Justice for resolution. Under that agreement Belize and Guatemala would hold simultaneous referenda before proceeding to the ICJ. While it was also agreed that public sensitization would be conducted, both governments held off because of elections in their respective countries. According to Elrington, they are now prepared to move forward with the plan.
Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“I am about to leave this afternoon along with Senator Lisa Shoman to meet with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister on Friday at the invitation of the Secretary General of the OAS Miguel Insulza and at that meeting we’re hoping to put together a timetable for the referendum. It’s an exceedingly expensive process and so both governments will have to work together hopefully to try to source the funding that will be needed to educate both the Belizean populace and the Guatemalan populace. So those are the things that we are going to be discussing initially. The undertaking that both governments had given was that we would not do anything with respect to that matter until both our electoral processes had concluded. Fortunately for us we concluded ours a year earlier so we are now in a position to start making the necessary plans to do that.”
Belize’s ambassador to Guatemala, Fred Martinez will also be participating in the Washington meetings.
If we don’t secure our border and STOP the invasion of illegal Guats, then it doesn’t matter what happens with mediation, arbitration, or anything else. Even if we preserve the “border” as a line on a map, we will still become a province of Guatemala in a few years, for all practical purposes.
Mr Sedi please don’t go and talk about anything imaginary at the referendum.
Why Belize have to negotiate with Guatemala when there is no treaty between Belize and Guatemala, it’s between England and Guatemala. Let England and Guatemala settle that.
It is stated in the Bible that before JESUS returns, everything will be return to their status as they were. I know there will be great gnashing of teeth because all the the foreign elements that came and changed and suppressed the AMERICAS will have to give it all back. So Belize, know that you are part of the AMERICAS.
Guatemala is not seeking a resolution they are trying to own Belize plain and simple. Negotiating with them is actually a waste of time, just look at the map that they have been using for decades to teach their children in school; Belize is included as part of guatemala.
Anything short of we becoming a part of them will always be rejected by them! They are the only ones that stand to lose if they would invade us because the world knows who is picking on who.
Their system of government stinks! They are an oligarchy. Check their land distribution among their population; 95% of their land is owned by 5% of the population. Why do you think the pesants are constantly trying to encroach on Belizean land? What are the chances in hell for anyone to acquire property there? They have no regards for their original prople! Unfortunately we have taken in so many illeterate people from all over central america that our literacy rate has plunged but we are still way better than they are.
Belize need a new Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wilfred Elrington don’t do a great job for Belize. Belize do not need to have a referendum. We need to get rid of the OAS. Belize waters and land need to be in the hands of the Belizean People and not the OAS.
Until every Belizean man, woman and child is willing to pick up a rifle and fight for it we will have to continue negotiating.
We Belizeans don’t even have the balls to confront our gang members with fire power!