But while the Prime Minister's statement served to somewhat take the edge off a very tense period in Belize's history, the OAS may have taken things in the other direction. The Organization issued a statement today that angered many Belizeans.
It notes the central event, which is the fatal shooting of a Guatemalan minor. The statement says, quote, the "OAS...repudiates the death of a Guatemalan minor at the hands of a Belizean patrol...During the incident on April 20, in addition to the death of the minor, his father and brother were wounded by gunfire. The OAS expresses its most sincere condolences to the family.
It adds, quote,
"This incident reinforces the need to observe the confidence building measures in place, in order to prevent future confrontations or situations that could put at risk the peace and stability in the Adjacency Zone, as well as in the area of the Sarstoon River."
Now, there was no such statement when Danny Conorquie was killed in Caracol or when Staff Sergeant Lambey was shot? So why now? That's what Senator Courtenay asked:...
Eamon Courtenay, PUP Rep., BZ, Guatemala Relations
"I took a look at that statement and I was struck by the language that was used by the OAS. I am surprised that the OAS would issue a statement like that particularly at this time. The secretary general just left Belize and he is well aware that Belize is not looking for any military confrontation with Guatemala. He is well aware of the raping of the Chiquibul and the areas along the western border by Guatemalans. The Secretary General and the OAS is well aware that the Government of Guatemala is in breach of its obligation to take effective steps to dis-sway its people from coming across. Everybody is saddened by the loss of life, but to suggest or to imply that the BDF was somehow at fault, I think is a matter of concern for me. It is a matter of concern that the OAS would begin to think that way. We have to ramp up our diplomatic efforts to get our side of the story out."
The opposition representative also called on government to enlist friendly nations to call on Guatemala to cool down.
Eamon Courtenay, PUP Rep., BZ, Guatemala Relations
"We also believe that the government of Belize needs to activate the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, the United Nations itself and in fact the Common Wealth. And to have the issue placed on their agenda on an urgent basis so that we can get resolutions from these organizations that affirm the respect for our territorial integrity and sovereignty. We are not calling on anybody to provide military troops. That is not what we want. What we want is for influence and persuasion to be brought to bear on Guatemala to understand that the course that they have embarked upon is a course that is fraught with danger and that is going to create a risk to the breach of peace. I believe that there are countries in the region, I believe that there are countries outside the region that have enough influence with Guatemala that with the right cards being played, this matter can and will be resolved. I have confidence that our government is going to do what is necessary and I know that there are countries out there, for example Mexico. Mexico doesn't want a breach of the peace, Mexico doesn't want a situation where Belize were to acquiesce in the annexation of the Sarstoon. Why? They have a border dispute with Guatemala and the situation, even though Mexico is a much bigger one, it is the precedence setting that all countries try to avoid. And therefore they have invested interest in ensuring that something like this is resolve."
The Prime Minister today met with the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations in New York to make the case about Guatemala's aggression, and he also spoke by telephone with the Secretary General of the OAS - who is in Ecuador.
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