January 19, 2010
Hon. Dean Barrow
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Sir Edney Cain Building
Belmopan
Dear Prime Minister:
On December 17, 2009, the Hon. Wilfred Elrington, the Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, described the border between Belize and Guatemala as “artificial”. He did so in an interview given to the media department of the Organisation of American States immediately after he had completed a ministerial meeting with the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, H.E. Roger Haroldo Rodas Melgar.
The statement remains posted on the website of the OAS.
The context of Minister Elrington’s statement was his saying that there is really no difference between the people of Belize and the people of Guatemala. In fact he said “… we are still the same people, with the same aspirations and desires.”
The People’s United Party rejects unequivocally the notion that the border between Belize and Guatemala is “artificial”. As long as Guatemala maintains its unfounded claim to Belize, our “aspirations and desires” cannot be the same.
Mr. Elrington was speaking for Belize when he made that comment. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the mischaracterization by Minister Elrington.
Since his return to Belize, Minister Elrington has refused to withdraw the description of Belize’s border as ‘artificial”. Instead, he has embarked on a campaign to justify his statement, and has in fact suggested that you have no difficulty with what he said.
You have publicly stated that his words were “unfortunate,” but that the resulting public condemnation of the Minister has been blown out of proportion. We regret very much the attempt by you to trivialize this serious error by Minister Elrington.
Prime Minister, the public calls for a retraction and clarification for the official record has been widespread. I call upon you to insist that the public record be corrected by a retraction and clear statement of the official position of the Government and people of Belize.
I also request that you ask the OAS to remove the statement from its website as a matter of urgency. Nothing less will suffice.
Finally, Minister Elrington’s conduct warrants his removal from Cabinet. Apparently, he has no intention of resigning, and you have said you will not remove him. I ask you to reconsider your position and remove Minister Elrington immediately.
At minimum, he should be stripped of responsibility for the foreign affairs of Belize. Every day that he remains in Cabinet with responsibility for foreign affairs gives credence to his incorrect statement and prejudices the interests of Belize.
This is simply wrong and you must, in the public interest, correct this untenable situation.
Sincerely,
Hon. John Briceño
Leader of the Opposition
(signed)