7 News Belize

Senator Shoman Wants CEO’s To answer To Senate About Sarstoon
posted (August 28, 2015)
The Sarstoon River has become the flashpoint for the Belize Guatemala Territorial Dispute - and now PUP Senator Lisa Shoman wants answers from the top brass in Foreign Affairs and National Security. She sent a "notice of motion" to the clerk of the National Assembly today - in advance of next Friday's Senate meeting. Shoman is invoking the powers of the Senate to bring the CEO's in both Ministries before the upper house to speak about the recent aggression that the Guatemalan military has shown on the Sarstoon. She's says its necessary after the Prime Minister reported tone week ago that the BDF has been putting up with routine harassment and intimidation from the Guatemalan Navy when they go up river to the Cadenas border lookout. When we travelled there eon Tuesday we saw the BDF Patrol Boat jetting out of the Sarstoon, which the Guatemalan navy boat at high speed right behind them. It looked like a chase, but the BDF has not confirmed. the She explained via telephone today:...

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"I think it is important for us as the senate to bring in, because we can, we have that right and that responsibility to bring in the CEO's of National Security and of Foreign Affairs and let them tell us what has been happening in the Sarstoon River, how long it's been occurring, the steps that have been taken, if protest has been made to Guatemala."

Jules Vasquez
"The argument may be made that: A) it's a sensitive matter B) it's being handled by all the relevant professionals."

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"You cannot simply say to the National Assembly and citizens of Belize 'we are handling it leave us alone' and we cannot be prevented from finding out what is happening from being told. Now if there is classified information, senators have sworn oaths and they know what they can and can't say."

Jules Vasquez
"In terms of the prospect of success, I know that you have brought at least one motion before and it failed."

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"No, it just didn't succeed, it didn't quite failed. Jules I expect to get unanimous support on this man. All citizens should expect that we will get unanimous senate support on this. It is beyond me why any senator would vote against this motion."

Jules Vasquez
"The prospect of success of this Madam Senator is nil. The reason being that the government controls the majority in the senate and election is upon us, nobody move, nobody get hurt. Why rock the boat?"

Hon. Lisa Shoman, PUP Senator
"It's exactly your cynical view that is one of the biggest problems that we faced when it comes to governance in this country. I repeat, if the senate right duties and responsibility are to mean anything, then they must be exercised."

Shoman says she is lobbying her senate colleagues for support. The Senate meeting will be held next week Friday.

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