The language of a US State Department press release has caused some concern in Belize. An August 29th "Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances" says the statement is related by a whole bunch of countries including Belize.
It says, quote, "We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country. We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries."
So, are Afghan refugees coming to Belize? Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay says no. He says plainly, "Belize will not be receiving any Afghans," and "we have not been approached at all for anything other than to join the statement as an act of solidarity." End quote.
