But does the OAS condemn Guatemala for its incursions into the Sarstoon? And can they help to establish a protocol? Well, Ramdin explains that there are processes - and that both countries would have to request the assistance. He also said that it's not the OAS's prerogative to condemn any country.
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American
"The OAS can assist if both countries are requesting such an assistance. Certainly when it's about border issues like this, you need both countries to be involved in terms of request. The OAS, I must say, stands ready to assist if so requested. And at the same time, we know that realities in both countries need to be taken account of as well. Again, although I must say that the Sarstoon River is not part of the adjacency zone, it's not within the adjacency zone, that was used to determine a long time ago. I must say that we must be pleased that both countries have engaged at the proper high diplomatic levels with all the relevant parties, to avoid any kind of escalation. And that is what we expect from responsible governments. So again, compliments to both governments, to foreign ministers who have engaged, the OAS will be ready to assist in this process in whatever way both countries request us to do so."
Reporter:
"Does the OAS condemn Guatemala for the aggression of its military in Sarstoon since September 10th to 13th?"
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American
"The OAS is not here to condemn anybody. That's not to be, at least under my leadership, it will be happening. We want to remain informed by both governments. We expect both governments to be responsible at the right political level so that, you know, escalation is avoided, but also the right message is given to their respective populations. And so far, that has happened. So we at the same time will appeal to both countries not to do anything, not to take any action that can jeopardize the process which has been ongoing, which has an agreed process towards the ICJ. So we will await that outcome, but at the same time, hold both countries accountable to what has been agreed in 2005 and before that in 2000."
But while there is the red tape and bureaucracy to maneuver, hundreds of acres of the Colombia River Forest Reserve are being destroyed by Guatemalan loggers and farmers.
We asked Ramdin about this.
Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American
"I would regret that. Biodiversity is damaged or reduced in many ways. Again, within the context of the adjacency zone, there are reportings taking place. It we need to see how better we can act on those. Then we need to sit back with both countries, not so much to change any kind of agreement, but to see how we can implement better. And this is something which we can discuss with the adjacency. So in office as well, how they can do their work more effective so that we can avoid these things to happen. I can't determine on which side these things are happening. But again, to the principle, anything that does not fit within the objectives, the scope of the adjacency zone agreement needs to be addressed. And, the least as much as possible."
