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BDF Remains on High Alert In Sarstoon
posted (March 16, 2016)
Now back to Belize- Guatemala military relations after Saturday's frightening flare-up. With the heightened level of tension at the Sarstoon, how are military operations, like the changeover at Cadenas, being managed? Well according to Brigadier General Jones, nothing will change, although they remain on high alert:

Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF

"On the ground we have the soldiers giving conflicting orders that can lead to conflict and that's the concern that I discussed with the Guatemalan General that we've both been given opposing directives and because of the opposing directives there could be conflict in the area. But as military professionals we want to avoid that. We discussed that there needs to be a definitive solution or a protocol at least until both countries decide what they want to achieve but in the interim and a matter of urgency we need to have a protocol in the Sarstoon between Belize and Guatemala because absence of that there, there could be some serious incident at the Sarstoon area."

Emanuel Pech

"One of the things that has been confusing is that Guatemala says that there is a protocol (status quo). What is that they were referring to?"

Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF

"Well I can't comment on what they believe is a status quo because for us the status quo is that we continue to operate in there unimpeded, uninterrupted and achieving our tasks in the area. I am aware that they're probably alluding to information that we are supposed to go in there and inform them before we go down or check with them before we; and that's not our modus operandi. We operate in the area without having to inform them that we are going in and that's the way we'll continue to operate."

Now as we told you a meeting of the OAS between Belize, Guatemala and other stake holders took place in Washington yesterday morning. But if there is no diplomatic solution, what is plan B for the military? General Jones gave us an idea of what that might look like.

Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF

"The meeting with the foreign ministers from both countries isn't as successful as we would like it. We are going to propose that we meet again at the political level, military and the tactical level all meet in the same room so that when we come to a resolution, everyone is singing from the same sound sheet, where everyone understands what is expected in the Sarstoon. Meet military to military or military to civilian or whoever traverses the area so that everybody who goes in the area knows exactly what is expected of them and how the military forces will operate while they are there operating in the Sarstoon."

"I'm expected to meet the general again in Costa Rica at a bigger forum where I'll be able to discuss with him the progress since we met. The meeting I had in San Antonio was a huge success because I was able to express Belize's position having a regional platform. All the senior generals from Central America were there so I was given the opportunity to outline the concern that we have with the border with Guatemala, the progress that we're having and where we would like to see ourselves and Guatemala working together because we have the same challenges, the same threats and it is the regions' interest for Belize and Guatemala to work peacefully."

"We both want the same thing, we understand it is a political problem that can cause issues on the ground but our troops are able to go there with the right temperament and if they're approached they will just be taking notes, taking information as to what they are told; relay to us so that we can find a solution to the issue. But the Guatemalan general is resolute that he wants peace in the area and he has given his word that he is going to ensure that the direction is pass his troops so as to deescalate any tensions that is there until our political leaders meet. But we both agree that it needs to happen now."

Later on we'll have more from General Jones as he talks about the role, or non-role of politics in this dispute.

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