Dear Editor,

The most common argument against going to the ICJ is that we have nothing to gain. After all, we are a sovereign nation with a government functioning for hundreds of years.

That same argument was used, not too long ago in the past. The country of Palestine thought the same, a sovereign nation for hundreds of years. They were furthermore, surrounded by friendly countries, willing to come to their aid in times of distress. Their country was invaded and now most of their land is occupied, whilst the international community looked on.

We in Belize mistakenly think that countries respect each other’s sovereignty, much the same way the peoples of a country respect each other’s properties. In a country, there is a legal system with a police force to ensure this. Internationally, there is none. Countries use their armies to protect their sovereignty.

The Guatemalan army is almost the size of the entire Belizean population. If they should one day decide to march across, there is precious little our army can do to stop them.

There are many arguments as to why they haven’t done so. The prospect of governing a hostile population and having to cater to their needs in addition to the needs of your own people could prove to be a daunting task.

Another is that though we are independent, the Queen remains the head of state. Britain in the past has shown itself to be able and willing to protect its overseas interests in Belize and other friendly territories (Falkland Isles).

Again, some point out that the USA, Guatemala’s chief economic and military partner, is horrified at the prospect of Belizean refugees turning up at their borders, as a result of such a conflict. Their country would be the number one destination by virtue of its being English-speaking like Belize.

Why is an ICJ stamp of approval important? Belize’s problem lies not with the Guatemalan leadership. For all the reasons listed above, they do not see annexing Belize as a plus. They already have their hands full trying to cope with the demands and needs of their own people. If any valuable resources were to be found in Belize that would no longer be the case. Now is the time to get things done. All the legal experts say Belize has an iron-clad case.

Presently, our problem is with the poorer Guatemalan grassroots populations, who come across our border and plunder our resources. Their attitude is that those resources belong to them. As far as they and most of the world are concerned, Belize is a disputed territory. An ICJ judgment would go a long way in resolving that issue, removing the title of “disputed territory’” at the international level. The effects won’t be immediate, but eventually they will see Belize as a separate sovereign nation, much the same way Mexicans now see Texas.

Colville Young, Jr.

(Ed. NOTE: The letter writer’s opinions are his own, and not those of this newspaper.)