Seventy minutes in Belizean airspace now threaten to test relations with Guatemala. Prime Minister John Briceño says his government may summon Guatemala’s ambassador and recall Belize’s top diplomat for consultations following the incursion by a Guatemalan military aircraft. While Briceño insists Belize cannot ignore the incident, he says the country must respond carefully, keep diplomatic channels open and protect the ongoing ICJ process from further tension.
Reporter
“Should his coming to Belize be interpreted as a protest?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“That’s what all countries do when something happens in another country. You bring in your ambassador to be able to get a good understanding, to have a discussion and to understand what’s going on from the other side. Every country does that.”
Reporter
“Ishe recalled though?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“You need to allow us to have that discussion before we make that decision but you recall that you come to Belize and have a discussion, and then we decide whether you go back the following day or one month or don’t go back at all. At the same time, it is important that we always remain connected with the Guatemalan Government. We are neighbors that’s not going to change. We believe that at the ICJ, we have every confidence that we are going to win that case, so we have to maintain good relationships with Guatemala.”
Reporter
“At the national security council level, have you ever been informed of such a breach of our airspace before?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“As it come to having a plane fly into Belize, not during my time.”
Reporter
“PM, the Guatemalans sound very confident in asking the OAS for a verification exercise, which should be a matter pf course, do you have confidence in the OAS that the investigation will be impartial?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Let’s put it this way, if it were you, wouldn’t you do the same? Try to bluff your way out of something? And that’s exactly what they’re trying to do, bluff their way and I do have confidence in the OAS verification. The OAS has been quite even-handed in dealing with all if the issues. Sometimes they take to long if you would ask me but I think they’ve been even-handed in all instances.”
Guatemalan officials have agreed to submit all reports and the aircraft for review, even as the country’s leaders deny the flight ever happened.
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