So what’s the way forward? Well, speaking at that same event, the Minister of National Security said that Cabinet rejected the Guatemalan counter proposal out of hand. What’s more, they checked the record and are certain that Belize never agreed to any checking-in with the Guatemalans before going up the Sarstoon. He told us what Cabinet’s firm decision is:
Reporter
"They are reverting back to the status quo which is to say that they own the river."
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"That's not the status quo; they are reverting to their claim."
Reporter
"Yes they are reverting to their claim that they own the river and we have to get permission to come on the river, was that permission sought today?"
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"No that was never sought by any authority in this country, that is their version of what they think the status quo was or is; it has never been the status quo for us here in country, we'll never have to seek any permission from any Guatemalan authority to use our own territory."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Can you speak about that discussion in the Cabinet? I understand that Cabinet discussed that, the rejection of the proposals yesterday."
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"Yes we were informed officially in Cabinet of the rejection of the Guatemalans of our proposal. We also saw what their supposed counter proposal was which we again flatly reject because it says precisely what was asked just now, they want us to ask permission and we flatly reject that. We are going to continue to work the diplomatic channels to try to see some meeting of the minds but in the meantime as you have also indicated militarily we believe that we have some sort of agreement to maintain the peace in the area."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Is it clear in Cabinet that this thing is indeed as the team has told us is a complete fabrication from Guatemala, this so called status quo, this gentleman's agreement that Belize must ask permission going to the Sarstoon?"
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"It is absolutely clear; we had in our possession yesterday in Cabinet the minutes of a meeting that was held in 2005 if not 2007 when a similar situation had occurred. We have minutes of that meeting that took place at the military level where it is clear to us that Belize never acceded to that point from the Guatemalans."
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