Here's how he answered when we asked if this 30-day ban is an indication that the Government is being too passive:

Daniel Ortiz
"A popular sentiment, a critic coming out of this in the wake of your SI that was passes is that this in some way is a proof positive that the government is weak-kneed in the handling of the Sarstoon River situation. Can you respond to that?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"It's hard to respond to what is an opinion. People are perfectly entitled to their opinion and I certainly will not engaged in any debate with them. I will merely repeat that government must at all times bear well in mind, the larger picture and the country's overriding national interest."

Reporter
"Are we retreating in the face of an advancing Guatemalan agenda, not just diplomatically, but on the ground?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Well I don't know how we could say we are retreating diplomatically. I just finished setting out a laborious detailed all that we are doing diplomatically. But if no protocol is agreed between Belize and Guatemala, as I say the prohibition by way of the regulation will come to an end. Certainly at the expiration of one month - may come an end before. If there is a protocol, that will take care of that. If there is no protocol, then we revert to the position that the island is in our territory, on our side of the river and Belizeans will be free to go anywhere that constitutes our territory, including the Sarstoon Island."

An important point which we didn't get an opportunity to focus on is that the Prime Minister made an important distinction. Persons from Toledo who are on legitimate business will be allowed to traverse the Sarstoon. It is only persons with incendiary political statements of patriotism who will be blocked.