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The National Security Minister’s Take On The Sarstoon Dispute
Fri, July 24, 2015
Staying on the subject of border security, last week, the Government finally revealed after prodding from the press that the Guatemalan Government is opposed to government building a Coast Guard forward operating base at Sarstoon Island. This was communicated through diplomatic channels following a confrontation between the Belize Coast Guard and the Guatemalan Navy on the island two months ago.

Since then, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has come under fire for his disclosure that government is slowing down on the plans to build the base. He said that the Government will be discussing it with Guatemala at a meeting in the near future with the OAS mediating.

So, exactly when is this meeting, and has the National Security Ministry reconsidered the Foreign Minister's position? That's what the press asked the Minister of National Security today:

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"As far as I am concern when I was debrief it was a matter of asking us to discuss the matter. And as far as I am aware, we decided that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would discuss the matter in margins of the meetings that was held with the OAS. I believe that may have taken place a couple days ago. I have not been briefed yet on the results of that consultation. But as far as I am aware, the Guatemalans ask us to talk about it."

Reporter
"Despite that, the government is going full steam ahead with the plan?"

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"I said we will talk. We are talking and when that is done, the government will chat its way forward and certainly it will be with a view to keep in obligations to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our country."

Daniel Ortiz
"How would you answer to the criticism that we have delayed too long on this forward operating base and to have to stop and consult with Guatemala on this operation is ludicrous, that we should move forward with our plans that the national security ministry has identified as important."

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"I don't believe that when you have problems with a neighbor, that the way forward is to simply ignore their concerns. I believe that the way forward is always to listen. But that after a point when you are not able to work your diplomacy, then you do what you need to do to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our country and that is where we are. The Guatemalans asked us to talk about it, we are talking about it and at some point we are going to decide whether we need to change or whether we need to move forward and as far as I am concerned , what will be key in all of this is always protecting our sovereignty and integrity."

"The confidence building measures requires that as long as there is something to take place within the adjacency zone, that there has to be consultations including the OAS. The problem with the Sarstoon issue is that previous to this, it has never been considered as a part of the adjacency zone and that is why we need to talk about it and work out a way forward."

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