And back now to how Belizean officials are handling the entire report. From what Roger Plett and his co-worker Manuel Ayala told the media, there has been a constant level of official skepticism. Today the press got into an extended back and forth with CEO’s Sylvestre and Lovell about just what the police had done – including what they had allegedly done to try and censor the statement Roger Plett Gave police. CEO Sylvester said they appeared elusive when he requested a de-briefing:
H.E Lawrence Sylvester - CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"To make things doubly sure I directed Ambassador Guerra who serves in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and assists on some of the counsellor and the matters, the cooperation with Guatemala to seek out and find the individuals in Spanish Lookout and arrange for a prompt debriefing. I found that the individuals were rather elusive in making themselves available for this debriefing and it wasn't until after close on normal business on Friday that some type of debriefing or statement that they made themselves available to give a statement at the San Ignacio police station."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"I find the use of the word elusive interesting because; have you met with any of these persons Mr. Ayala or Mr. Plett?"
H.E Lawrence Sylvester - CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"We dispatched no less in seniority an officer and Ambassador Guerra to get in touch with them and to have a proper debriefing. I can't carry the whole government on my back, I can't be everywhere all at once; I am coordinating things happening in multiple hemispheres."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"When you use a word like that it seems to case blame on these persons as if these persons are for some reason eluding or trying to evade going to the police."
H.E Lawrence Sylvester - CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"Sir I won't get into that."
Daniel Ortiz
"Can you say why Mr. Manuel Ayala was held for 48 hours on the suspicion of a mischievous act for his report that he and his associates were held by Guatemalans?"
George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"I don't know if he was held for 48 hours, I don't know if that was true, that's the first thing; I can't comment that Mr. Ayala was held. I would want to then ask the commissioner of police to say precisely if he was held how long he was held and why. I would like to have them to answer that question, I cannot at this stage."
Daniel Ortiz
"Well then sir given all that you've heard and given that Mr. Ayala says."
George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"I do know they were looking into some mischievous act indeed."
Daniel Ortiz
"Do you accept or concede that it gives the perception that the state is not treating their story with the weight it deserves?"
George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security
"No I will not accept, I will not concede."
H.E Lawrence Sylvester - CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"The state of Belize has always in matters which involve our bi-lateral relationship with Guatemala or any other instance to act responsibly based on the veracity of our report."
And so now you’ve heard – extensively – both sides of the story, and if, like us, you’re still kind of scratching your head, then just wait for the third side, which will be the findings of the OAS investigation into the incident. But don’t hold you breath, because they are famous for the glacial pace of their investigations.
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