LONDON, CMC -Commonwealth Secretary Basic, Shirley Botchway, stated on Wednesday that she is “deeply disturbed” on the current incursion by members of the Guatemalan army into Belize.
“I’m deeply disturbed by current reviews that the Guatemalan Military hoisted its flag on Belizean territory, tried to intercept a Belizean army vessel, and obstructed Belizeans from utilizing the Sarstoon River.
“Such actions threaten regional stability and threat undermining the expansion of stronger ties between these neighbouring nations. They’re unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn them. I commend the Belizean army for responding with professionalism and restraint on every event to keep away from additional escalation, whereas asserting Belize’s authorized place,” Botchway stated.
The Belize authorities has “forthrightly” rejected a press release issued by Guatemala by which it sought to current “different details” following an incident on the Sarstoon River final Wednesday.
In a press release, Belmopan said that it’s conscious of a press launch issued by the Guatemalan authorities in regards to the occasions that occurred on the Sarstoon River from September 10 to 13 this yr.
“The federal government forthrightly rejects the daring try of the Authorities of the Republic of Guatemala to current different details to hunt to distort the narrative of what transpired on the Sarstoon.”
Belize has already indicated that it will be lodging a proper protest “on the highest degree” after a contingent from the Guatemalan Armed Forces(GAF) planted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean soil.
However the Ministry of International Affairs in Guatemala, in a press release, whereas expressing “deep remorse” on the incursion, stated nonetheless that “these unlawful incursions pose a severe threat to Guatemalan civilians dwelling alongside or travelling by way of the river and its banks, which is unacceptable”.
It additionally stated that the incidents happened simply earlier than its Independence Day celebrations and that the Guatemalan Military acted inside its constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty “with prudence and duty, stopping escalation and avoiding confrontation”.
The Belize-Guatemala border dispute dates again to Guatemala’s declare of serious parts of Belizean territory, primarily based on historic Spanish colonial rights, whereas Belize maintains its sovereignty over these areas.
The dispute originated from a 1859 treaty between Britain and Guatemala, which Guatemala claims was violated by Britain. After many years of failed negotiations and tensions, each nations agreed in 2008 to submit the dispute to the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) for a closing choice, a course of confirmed by referendums in each nations.
On Tuesday, the 15-member Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) grouping known as on Guatemala to make sure that its army forces “desist from illegally coming into Belizean territory”.
The regional grouping, of which Belize is a member, stated it’s calling on “Guatemala to make sure that its army forces desist from illegally coming into Belizean territory and from aggressive actions which can elevate tensions between the nations, escalate right into a army battle, and endanger the protection of individuals who use the Sarstoon River”.
The Commonwealth Secretary-Basic said that she was becoming a member of regional companions, together with CARICOM, to induce restraint and respect for worldwide legislation and the sovereignty of states.
“I name for peaceable dialogue to resolve this territorial dispute. I additionally enchantment to Guatemala to decide on peace for the good thing about each nations and to chorus from actions that escalate tensions, notably within the Sarstoon River space.
“I encourage each nations to proceed to hunt a peaceable decision by way of the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) and to promptly fulfil their dedication to making a cooperation mechanism for the Sarstoon River and maritime areas with the help of the Group of American States,” she stated, including “I urge all events to accentuate efforts in direction of constructive dialogue, respect for worldwide agreements and lasting peace”.
The Commonwealth Secretary-Basic stated that she was reaffirming the place of Commonwealth heads of presidency and the Ministerial Committee on Belize, which incorporates help for the ICJ course of, the event of a cooperation mechanism, and full adherence to confidence-building measures by the events.
“The area and the world are watching. The Commonwealth continues to affirm the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and safety of Belize, a treasured member of our 56-nation Commonwealth household,” she added.
