The 65 foot Guatemalan Navy Gunboat was removed from the reef on June 13th and the Department of Environment's final assessment of damages has been completed. But the thing is - no official report has been sent to Guatemalan authorities. So what's the delay? Well when we asked Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington, he told us that it is in the process of being prepared and finalized.
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I know it's being worked on, but the CEO is right in the other room. You could ask him. He is the man that is dealing with directly. But I know that he has discussed with me. I received the assessment and he was in the process of getting the message sent to the Guatemalans to inform them of it and see how the arrangement can be made for payment."
Courtney Weatherburne
"Sir, lastly on that note, looking at the public opinion, it is being widely spread that somehow we are being soft with the Guatemalans - that looking at the issue in the Sarstoon Island with the Territorial Volunteers as well as this gun boat as well - having the gun boat leave before the final assessment has been made. How do you respond to that criticism that it's simply appeasement or we are being too soft with them looking at all those issues?"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"It's all misinformation and to a large extent the absence of knowledge on the part of the people who are purveying that kind of information. We are not in a relationship of hostility with the Guatemalans. As a matter of fact, they are one of our nearest neighbors and we have got to maintain good neighborly relationship with them. Nothing that we have done so far as far as I am aware, has indicated any kind of hostile intent and I don't see any reason for us to be engendering this kind of hostility. To my mind, it is wholly irrational. I can't comprehend it, but it is not unusual."
When we asked the CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Sylvester, he told us that they are seeking legal advice and must ensure that the claim for compensation that will be sent to the Guatemalan officials is clear and sound and that there aren't any 'loose ends'. He told us that the official claim for compensation should be sent in about 2 days.
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