Normally the news on Guatemalan soldiers on Belizean land would be news, but not good news. In fact some concerned residents in the Bermudian Landing area called 7NEWS about some Guatemalan soldiers roaming free, even training in their area. It turns they were right, they are some Guatemalan soldiers in Belize, but its not what you think. Keith Swift reports on the new face of confidence building.
Keith Swift Reporting, [From Bermudian Landing]
It is the last thing you would expect to see: Belizean and Guatemalan soldiers walking together on the same street on the same side of the border. Well Major Reuel Black from the BDF says: believe it.
Major Reuel Black, Belize Defense Force
"Reference the confidence building measures between Belize and Guatemala this exchange has been organized and has been in effect since 2003 with the purpose of increasing the confidence building measures between the two forces so that we can better understand each other in doing our business and our daily work."
Major Black is leading twelve Belizean soldiers while Colonel Rene Elel is leading a troop of 12 Guatemalan soldiers on this exercise called "The Grand Tour." Their grand tour over the past two weeks started in Guatemala and ended up in Bermudian Landing this week.
Major Reuel Black,
"During those two weeks we stayed at family houses and not barrack rooms or military bases. We stayed with families so we had to speak Spanish and we speak Spanish with them and they spoke to us in English so that we could practice our Spanish and they could practice our English. Then we came to Belize and we did the same thing here but this time it was different. This time we went over there to learn Spanish while they were doing their English course and when we came back here we did an adventure training. This is the first time the adventure training is taking place and it occurred that we went to Victoria Peak and we started paddling the La Ruta Maya with them along the Belize River."
Major Black stresses this was not a military exercise and no army secrets or tactics were shared, only good times. Good times for Guatemalan soldiers Edwin Ramirez and Carlos Gracen who this evening strolled through Bermudian Landing village alongside BDF soldiers Lionel Cuthkelvin and Verano Coc.
Edwin Ramirez, Guatemalan Soldier
"For me its amazing, an amazing exercise because we are here enjoying this place. This is a nice place to see the monkeys in his habitat."
Carlos Gracen, Guatemalan Soldier
"For me it's a nice exchange. It's very good for both countries because then we can take some experiences together and enjoy this trip in your country."
Lionel Cuthkelvin, BDF Soldier
"It is great. Over the past two weeks we have shared a lot. We had to learn to about their culture especially when we were in Antigua (Guatemala) and we did the same bringing them here and getting them to know the country of Belize and what we have to offer."
Verano Coc, BDF Soldier
"Its an opportunity to work together along with the Guatemalan armed forces and it's the first time we are as friends."
Major Reuel Black, BDF
"We are here to work. The politicians are there to do the business of negotiating and things like that. But within both armed forces we learnt from each other, we understand each other, and we have made friends; long lasting friends. They have invited us to their houses whenever we go to Guatemala and we have done the same. So practically we have become closer friends really."
But are these soldiers becoming too friendly? Maybe too close for comfort? Major Black doesn't think so and neither does his Guatemalan counterpart Colonel Elel. Both say its just healthy interaction between neighboring militaries.
Major Reuel Black,
"We have never considered the Guatemalan people as enemies. They have always been our neighbor and we have always wanted to live with them in peace and just like every human being, everybody wants to live in peace. And that's one of the thing we all agreed on during this two weeks, that we both aspire to live in peace and to be peaceful throughout and be an example to the world of what it is to have differences and know how to solve it and still live in peace."
Col. Rene Elel, Guatemalan Military
[Translation] "They are a country that is peaceful and friendly. Sometimes the perception that people have due to the newspapers and the media is sometimes false. That gives the impression that the relation might not be good but in fact we are a country that is friendly and peaceful."
Exercise Grand Tour ends tomorrow with a shopping trip to downtown Belize City. For a link to more information on the language exchange project between the two armies you can visit http://www.guatemalabelize.com or http://www.belizeguatemala.com.