7 News Belize

A Pattern Of Provocation or Business As Usual
posted (March 22, 2016)
And while the two sides are talking at the highest military level, at the diplomatic level - they're also talking, but almost in a different language, it seems. That's because the official Belize account of what happened on Saturday March 12th is completely different from the Guatemalan account.

The Guatemalans completely rejected the Belize claim that they behaved aggressively towards the BDF. So how does the BDF commander see it. Did Guatemala provoke his soldiers? Here's how General Jones put it.

Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF
"Well I wouldn't view it as that sort of aggression. You can view it that way if you look at it that they came into our waters. But as I explained before, they believe they are in their waters and that's where the conflicting problem is. So without that diplomatic solution we will always view it as if though they are threatening to us. But they came over to speak to our guys, our guys weren't comfortable with it because they were in Belizean waters. So you can view it as a threat. But they weren't pointing weapons, they weren't being aggressive as such towards the troops and the situation was resolved amicably, without any incident."

Emanuel Pech
"Are you worried? Your guys are still there. They will continue to be there. Are you worried that an incident like this might repeat itself?"

Brig. Gen. David Jones - Commander, BDF
"I'm not worried that it may happen again. But if it does happen again, I am sure we can work it out peacefully. Because as I've said, I've establish a good relation with the new general and he is committed to work with us peacefully and I will stand by that and I am hopeful for the best."

General Jones says he remains confident that the line of communication that was established at a Conference in Texas between him and the commander of the Guatemalan military will work in defusing any future confrontation.

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