One other fringe issue that the 15 Heads of Government discussed today was the border dispute that Belize has with Guatemala, and the border dispute
that Guyana has with Venezuela.
We spoke to Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington in Placencia where he discussed these territorial disputes:
Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"There were two border issues that were dealt with, one the Belize border issue the other one is the Guyana border issue; but I just listen to one of
the Prime Ministers who was saying that the Guyana border issue has been on the table since 1993. So these are two issues that have coming back every
time the heads meet because it gives the heads an opportunity to affirm their solidarity with the countries in their struggle and claim and of course
to get an update as to what has transpired since the last meeting. That is essentially what took place, I was able to give them an update on all that
has transpired since we last met and tell them what we are planning to do in the future."
Reporter
"Now I know the CARICOM provides support when it comes to issues that the member states are facing both nationally and at a regional level. What kind
of support can the Caribbean community possibly lend in terms of our Belize Guatemala issue?"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"The most important one if the diplomatic pressure that can be brought to bear on the countries. Also too the encouraging of the international
committee to support the process both in terms of providing finances and perhaps to afford technical support. We may need the technical support for our
research and like they would help us to get that either through the United Nations agencies or the OAS or even the contact through commonwealth."
Coming out of the conference, the delegates from this inter-sessional meeting have unanimously decided that Secretary General Irwin LaRocque should
remain in his post. His contract concludes later this year, and there won't be another meeting before that date. Prime Minister Barrow told us that all
the heads of Government have given Secretary General LaRocque their vote of confidence.
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