7 News Belize

Guat Foreign Minister To Belize
posted (February 27, 2018)
11 weeks ago, we told you how Guatemala had chosen Sandra Jovel, as Foreign Minister to replace Carlos Raul Morales. She recently addressed the OAS Permanent Council along with Wilfred Elrington, and today she made her first visit to Belize at the Adjacency Zone Office, which is located at the Benque Viejo Border with Melchor.

Daniel Ortiz reports on her visit to the OAS Office.

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel's first visit to the Adjacency Zone Office began with her waiting for her Belizean counterpart, Wilfred Elrington, to arrive. Once he did, they exchanged cordial greetings, and they proceeded immediately into the closed door session between the Belizean and Guatemalan diplomats.

The local media from both sides were not allowed to attend, but the Government Press Office and their Guatemalan counterparts were allowed to tape some parts of the session. They allowed us a peak in on that conversation, where both sides got to officially meet Manuel Washington Abdala, as the new Special Representative of the OAS Secretary General.

This Uruguayan lawyer and politician replaces Magdalena Talamas, who as viewers will remember, was forced out of the post by the Guatemalan Government. They refused to acknowledge her as the impartial representative running this Adjacency Zone Office.

After about an hour and a half behind closed doors, the Belizean and the Guatemalan contingent emerged for some musical entertainment from the Belizean and Guatemalan students who are benefiting from the OAS' culture of peace program.

Possibly, the most significant of the cultural presentations came from this young man, who's talent for art was put on display. He presented both Foreign Ministers with artistic portraits of themselves, with striking resemblances. After a bit of picture taking, he wasn't done. He then revealed that he had created 2 other portraits; one of Guatemala's President, Jimmy Morales, and another of Belize's Prime Minister, Dean Barrow.

From there, the feel-good session hit a crescendo, of raining confetti and songs of peace, to remind residents of both countries that they are neighbors, who would enjoy a better quality of life, if both sides co-existed in harmony.

Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington was happy about the welcome his Guatemalan counterpart had been given.

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Belizean Foreign Minister
"I don't think that we have had a better reception than the one she has` received. This was a very good program, very wonderful choreograph as you saw the kids were so spontaneous and so absolutely talented and excited. I was particularly impressed by the gusto with which they sang the songs about peace and wanting to live together in peace and friendship and brotherhood. That means volumes to us. The younger people obviously have the right idea and we must nourish that. I think that's really wonderful. I don't know if it's because of the presence of the Foreign Minister why it was so warm and so friendly and so positive, but I thought that the reception was exceedingly good."

But, after nearly 3 hours, the Belizean press was finally able get an interview encounter with the new Foreign Minister. It was pre-determined before today's event that we would only be allowed to ask a total of 3 questions. So, the first put to her was about the latest instance where the Guatemalan military continues to stop Belizeans from traversing our side of the Sarstoon River. The new Foreign Minister dodged that one in cool diplomatic fashion.

H.E Sandra Jovel - Guatemalan Foreign Minister
"I think the meetings that have been recently held between Belize and Guatemala have, at the end, precisely that; To try to strengthened the relationship, strengthened peace and the culture of peace as we are seeing being reflected here today. I think the show of goodwill by both countries allows us to reflect more on that and I think what we are seeing today is exactly that; we are want to do and desire for our countries."

Next, she was asked about the possibility that if both the populations of Belize and Guatemala decide to take the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice, and the court rules against Guatemala, would her country respect the ruling, and drop its claim to Belizean territory?

H.E Sandra Jovel - Guatemalan Foreign Minister
"I think we are...You all know that on April 15 will be the people's referendum in Guatemala. Guatemala is doing the same to inform the population about what is referred to as the territorial, insular, and maritime dispute we have with Belize. And let it be the International Court of Justice to decide what will be process. We are willing to follow the ruling of the court. That is where we are going. That is why we want to have the referendum on April 15 and be able to take a step closer to peace, a step of development for both countries that later will results in benefits for both."

And finally, we asked about the prevailing public sentiment being revealed at this time as her Government continues its public campaign on taking the dispute to the ICJ. It's been a perception in Belize that this age old territorial dispute is being pushed by the older generation of Guatemalans. Again she gave a very general and short answer to that question.

H.E Sandra Jovel - Guatemalan Foreign Minister
"I think our mission as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government is precisely to inform, inform what is correct, inform so that the population at that time can vote, and decide the future of both countries."

After the festive welcome at the Adjacency Zone Office, the Belizean and Guatemalan diplomats departed for lunch at a restaurant in Melchor.

Opposition Leader John Briceno was represented at this event by Cayo Northeast Representative, Orlando "Landy" Habet.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize