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Last week, we showed you our interview with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, months after he revealed that Guatemalans are resisting attempts by the Belizean Ministry of National Security to establish a forward operating base on Sasston Island, at the southernmost tip of the country’s territory.
Well, the independent political party, the VIP, has come out against his stance. The VIP, like the Belize National Trade Union Congress, has stated that the Belizean government should exercise the rights of a sovereign nation to carry out any actions that are in its best interest. They are asking the government to maintain the independence of the Belizean nation and implement these plans and policies without any influence from Guatemala in the decision-making process.
They held a press conference today to emphasize this point:
Patrick Rogers – Member, VIP
“Our government’s actions are really about building confidence in Guatemala’s case if it makes it to the ICJ. We’ve actually seen the Guatemalans send their navy out and order our Coast Guard to leave the island to protect what they believe is theirs. That’s an exercise of sovereignty over that territory. They then instructed our government, no, you can’t build on Sassten Island until the ICJ rules on whose territory it is. So again, that’s asserting sovereignty, they’re not exercising ownership of that land, but they’re acting like, yes, we really believe this is taking away from us.”
Paco Smith-Member, VIP
“The VIP has launched a petition to be delivered to the Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Oliver Barrow, which essentially requires him to begin construction of the Belize Coast Guard Forward Operating Base on Sassn Caye. This is a hotly debated issue and we believe that it is a violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty that our security forces have been ordered to cease any operations in Belize based on a complaint from Guatemala.”
“I will read the petition to you shortly, which states: One of the primary duties of the Government of Belize is to ensure the maintenance of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, safety, security and well-being of the Nation of Belize. The Nation of Guatemala remains steadfast in its rejection of the unfounded claims to almost half of Belize’s sovereign territory. The Government has succumbed to Guatemala’s bullying tactics on countless relevant issues through a policy of appeasement, acquiescence, accommodation and compliance. Saston Island is located on the Saston River, which separates Belize territory from Guatemalan territory and is recognized by the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty of 1859.”
“The Government of Guatemala advised the Government of Belize to halt all works on Sasstun Island, which is clearly located within Belizean territory, until the complaint filed by that government with the OAS is resolved. True to its usual weak foreign policy, the Barrow government has once again chosen to appease Guatemalan demands and halted the planned construction works. The Vision Inspired by the People’s Movement recognizes the complete irresponsibility of the Government of Belize. In this regard, we call on Belizeans and true friends of Belize – both at home and abroad – to sign this petition. It asks Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow to uphold the integrity of Belize and not allow Guatemala to dictate what our security forces can and cannot do within our sovereign territory.”
Hubert Enriquez – VIP Chairman
“We now agree that we should wait for the International Court of Justice to discuss the matter before deciding to build on Sassn Island. Of course, the answer must be now.”
Patrick Rogers – Member,VIP
“I want to commend the Coast Guard for showing fortitude and backbone that the Cabinet and the administration lacked. They are prepared to establish a forward operating base there, command a larger force every day to demonstrate their readiness to protect Belizean territory and assert its sovereignty. If we establish a forward operating base in Belize, we can help protect — not just the oil, but the marine resources that our people depend on.”
Big V said that this petition will be posted online.
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