Tonight there's a lot of local buzz about this picture - which was posted today on the government of Belize social platforms. It shows Prime Minister John Briceno and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca meeting with the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo. It's a bi-lateral meeting that happened in the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly where all the world leaders have gathered for the session. Now, these are tense times for Belize and Guatemala - but the picture seems to suggest a much lighter tone. The Prime Minister agreed to a Zoom interview to discuss this meeting and here's what he said:
Jules Vasquez
"Is that photo, and I guess you've seen it, with you all seeming to have a light moment, is that indicative of how the meeting went?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"It was a good meeting. It was a cordial meeting. But from our end, we were very firm in our position. And I made it very clear to the president that we have been disappointed. I made it very clear that we have never seen this kind of behavior in the Sarstoon. And that's not the way two good neighbors behave."
"He understood very clearly what is our position. Of course, he's trying to tone it down. I guess it's not in his interest, but it is in our interest for the world to see the aggression from the part of the military, not necessarily the government."
"So that is the fine line, I think, that the president has to walk or to balance."
Jules Vasquez
"But critically, sir, did he repeat the falsehood that it's the BDF showing aggression, and it's the BDF encroaching?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I guess he has to say something to his audience in Guatemala. But I think that Guatemalans, when they see the video, and I'm sure that many have seen that video, they have seen differently that it is the Guatemalans that have been aggressing. How can an army of 1,200 plus soldiers aggress an army of 15, - 20,000?"
"It makes absolutely no sense, unless if you're a suicidal. The president assured me that there's no change in their approach, that they continue to go through the ICJ process."
Jules Vasquez
"It's like they continue to officially project one image to the world, but while what's happening on the on the river is bullying and aggressive behavior towards our citizens and our soldiers. Um were you able to or did you insist on the point that what's happening there is not in line with a country that wants to live in peace with its neighbor?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well that is precisely why we asked for this meeting to make that very point that um all along we've been very respectful both sides have been respectful until now and that and that is why we're asking has anything changed?"
"Now what what we have agreed to is then that for us to be able to find a way we can communicate immediately. Remember when something happens there in the Sarstoon it goes up to the chain of command until you get to the commander of the BDF and then from there goes to the minister then foreign minister then to me and so by the time it gets with to the top it's um a lot has happened or can happen."
"So what we agree the both militaries met yesterday and what we have agreed both at the heads level that we will allow the commanders on the ground for them to have direct communications. So as soon as anything is happening that we can immediately inform them or they could inform us."
"So we can quickly reduce the tensions. We just consistent insisting that this has been unprecedented and that if we want peace, this is not the way to go about. Again, President Arevalo insisted that he wants peace. He wants to ensure that both countries can continue foreign minister to have a stronger relationship."
Jules Vasquez
"Did he repeat what they have said publicly? What he has said publicly and in their formal statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are accusing us of encroaching or going over to their side of the river. And we believe it's a false accusation."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, he, as I pointed out to him, we have phones, we have cameras, we have social media, we have live streaming. And so the whole world is seeing what is happening in the Sarstoon and the president is fully aware."
"And I do believe that he wants to be able to maintain some level of respect and reduce the tensions in the region or in that area."
Jules Vasquez
"What are you going to say tomorrow? We noticed that the Guatemalan president in his address to the General Assembly did not speak about these latest events on the Sarstoon. Will you mention them?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes. So we have to look after our interests. We have to ensure that the world knows exactly what's happening in the Sarstoon. But at the same time to point out that the president of Guatemala continues to speak that he supports the ICJ process."
"So we have to, it's important for us to be able to walk that or to find a balance in the statement, let the world understand that for the first time, the military has been very aggressive, the Guatemalan military has been very aggressive in the Sarstoon."
"And that Belize is also going with that we will remain firm in our position in the Sarstoon. And at the same time to ensure that we can continue that process, it is in our interest to be able to keep Guatemala engaged in the ICJ process."
The Prime Minister addresses the General Assembly tomorrow. The time is not confirmed but we will carry it live on Channel 7 and on our social platforms. Guatemala has a right of reply at the end of the session's speeches.
