The killing of this lawman is sure to spark great bitterness and discontent in Belize - but tonight the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington is urging caution and restraint. In an interview at his home this evening he told us that at this point it is not a Foreign Affairs matter because all we know is that Special Constable Conorquie was shot by a Hispanic male, not necessarily a Guatemalan. We know it sounds strange since BDF and Police are saying with certainty that it was a Guatemalan - but Elrington is far more cautious:..
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I was informed of the incident earlier today by Col. Lovell and I think you are quite correct, he said that a member of the security for the tourism police was allegedly sought by two Hispanic persons who were on horses and those persons have dissapeared. I think the police are looking for the now."
Daniel Ortiz
"The officer who was with him at the time is reporting that he believes them strongly to be Guatemalan xateros; persons who were conducting illegal activity in the area. What's our reaction to this because when the news hits the airwaves there will be those in the public who will be outraged that a Belizean was killed on Belizean soil by some persons believed to be Guatemalans?"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Well I can't take that further than that. It is his belief, but we have no evidence that in fact it is Guatemalans. We don't know who has done it. I am told that the police are looking for the people who supposed to have done it, but not even the police knows who have done it; who are responsible. So that it would not be to my mind proper to ascribe it to any particular nationality - we don't know."
Daniel Ortiz
"Is this to you mind a matter for your ministry at this time?"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"No, this is a matter for the Ministry of National Security and it is being properly dealt with by Col. Lovell who is the CEO for that ministry and the police department. I think that is where it properly belongs and they must investigate it and if in fact they have reasons to think that its matter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should get involve, they will notify us."
Daniel Ortiz
"The polsition you've taken is based on a legal and a position where of Skepticism, to make sure that all particular procedures are followed before we are able to ascribe this to any particular nationality, but those out there in the public they will see the news and they will instinctively want to ascribe this to Guatemalan illegal persons..."
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I as the minister of government have got to be proper; government ministers have to behave in a proper way, we also expect that the media be very proper and cannot help to fan the flames of suspicion. I think the media responsibility is not very different from mine to ascertain the truth and to advise the Belizean people as to the truth and to indicate to them what in fact is the legal process and how we should in fact behave in these circumstances."
As far as police investigators are concerned, quote, "the men who killed Conorquie are Guatemalans and anybody who disputes that must prove otherwise." End quote.
We'll have more on this story tomorrow.
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