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Since Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been on a public education campaign, collaborating with representatives of the OAS, and senior Guatemalan officials.

It's a kind of public confidence building, in an atmosphere rife with misgivings. But, at the official level, they continue to cultivate good relations, and in that spirit, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley today hosted a breakfast for the Mayor of Melchor De Menchos, as well as children living in the western border towns in both countries.

7News stopped by and spoke with the Mayor about this event's important in the larger discussion of Belize/Guatemala diplomacy:

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City

"We're working in partnership with the Organisation of American States and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we're of course supporting the discussion in relation to the activities that are going on in Belize over the last 3 days to promote awareness in relation to the Belize-Guatemalan issue. And what this is, is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked us to host a breakfast with young people from Melchor de Mencos, including the mayor of Melchor de Mencos who's in attendance at this programme this morning. And also young people from Benque Viejo Del Carmen. So what we're doing is promoting sort of engagement, especially with our youth who can kind of engage with one another in fellowship, in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. To really kind of highlight the fact that in order for peace to come, we need to have understanding and we need to have a coming together - so it's really like an honour to support the initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in hosting this breakfast this morning and I think it's a wonderful actively."

Reporter

"How would you describe your relationship with the mayor of Melchor de Mencos?"

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City

"Well it's been very cordial and very, very good. I remember when we formed that sister city relationship with San Benito, we had actually on several occasions passed through Melchor de Mencos and he had us in Melchor for several meetings.We've had lunch together and he's always greeted us in the spirit of friendship and it's an honour and privilege to have him in Belize City. What we're doing also, we're talking about ways that we could deepen our friendship with San Benito, deepen our friendship with Flores and Santa Elena and also Melchor de Mencos - who are strategic partners with our border cities and also with Belize City."

Reporter

"As a Belizean, are you saying yes or no to the ICJ?"

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City

"I am really in support of the ICJ, taking the discussions there. I think that the presentation last night from the OAS representatives was very powerful, it was very sobering, it came from an independent outside voice. I think one of the issues that Belizeans should to listen to the information that is being presented and make up your own minds. I like the work that the OAS is doing, I like the work that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing, especially through the efforts of ambassador Stewart Leslie; where they're promoting activities like this morning in terms of cultural exchanges and like last night's dialogue which raises information about the issue - so that people can make up their own mind. To say that I have a certain view does not mean our listeners and viewers should have that view, but it means that the information that's out there is good information. Nobody is saying that you should vote one way or the other. People are saying that you should listen to what's going on, participate in the discussion. Stand up, make your voices heard and then make up your own mind."