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And while there are already sabres being rattled by the Guatemalan military – 7News has learned that the government of Belize has reached out to the government of Guatemala – to make sure there is no escalation of hostilities when the territorial volunteers go out there on Sunday. Today, National Security Minister John Saldivar told us that he would wish the territorial volunteers wouldn't go – but his ministry if making discreet preparations, nonetheless:…

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"We have advised against it, especially when it comes to taking women and children out there. We feel that's not a very good idea. It's not about capitulating to the Guatemalans or it's not about shirking our responsibility to protect the sovereignty of our country. Whether we want to accept or not, Guatemala disputes our boundaries and disputes the ownership of that island in particular; and therefore to stay out of any controversies we advise that this trip not be done. That's our position at this time."

Jules Vasquez

"Do you advise the BDF or the coast guard to hang around because they may need help or would that be perhaps even more incendiary?"

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"I would tend to want to agree with you Jules that any involvement of the arm forces at this time could only serve to magnify the situation; and we wouldn't want that. We have done otherwise spoken to the Guatemalans - in the process of speaking with the Guatemalans at the foreign affairs level and also at the military level to have them know of this expedition and hopefully we can minimize any possibility of any encounter."

Jules Vasquez

"So you all are actively going through diplomatic and military channels at the bi-lateral level to sort of pre-empt what may or what could result in an unfortunate type of confrontation?"

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"Yes we are, actively."

Jules Vasquez

"And you are doing this not because you support the Territorial Volunteers in what you do but citizen security I imagine?"

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"Certainly, we have an obligation but we also want to look at solution that will lead to the least possible conflict. So we believe that at this time, that is the way to go. If the insist on going, I must repeat, we would want to discourage them; especially from taking women and children into this area that is under dispute."

Jules Vasquez

"But as minister of national security, do you accept that Sarstoon Island is an inclusive part of the territory of Belize? And that the territory of Belize actually ends at the southern channel in the Sarstoon River, south of the Sarstoon Island?"

Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security

"Absolutely Jules. And from our perspective that has never been in question; and that is not now in question. But when you have a neighbour that is questioning it, then obviously you have a dispute and therefore you want to approach it in a very sensitive manner."