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At today’s press briefing, Barrow was also asked about the reports on un-ease along Belize’s border particularly at Sarstoon Island which is at the mouth of the Sarstoon River and has form time to time flared up as a site of disputed national ownership. It is considered to be within Belize and the Guatemalan residents of nearby Barra Sarstun which also has a Guatemalan Navy permanent presence sometimes view this with umbrage. There are reports that there have recently been some hostile encounters near the island and the Prime Minister today told the press that they are urging the BDF to exercise extreme caution.

Hon. Dean Barrow,
“We believe that there is, whether wittingly or unwittingly, things happening that unless we are extremely sensitive and careful could provoke a shooting incident. The National Security Council is very much aware of the situation. The BDF has orders to be extremely prudent, extremely careful while not backing off when it comes to the maintenance of Belizean sovereignty.

We can give from the NSC and from the point of view of the Minister of National Security and the BDF High Command a sort of general direction but the risk that some incident could take place on the ground remains very real. We are trying to talk it through with these people, we are relying greatly on the good offices of the OAS, and we also ensure that the Group of Friends of the whole process is alerted to the problems we have been having.”