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Julissa Reynoso, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Central America and the Caribbean
"We have a very good relationship with the government here like anything else good relationships could always be better. And it's also really execution and making things happen and that's something that we are really trying roll out especially in the context in the Central America region especially with respect with the security issue that keeps coming up."

"You are living in a situation from my understanding that you are feeling the situation is getting worse and that's something that is not unique to Belize but it's really a pattern throughout Central America and the Caribbean, but Central America in particular. We have taken that message very seriously and we have increased assistance to the region over the last several years to try to prevent things from getting worse. CARSI initiative, We are putting funds, we are investing our time and efforts and ideas, we also expect similar return from the country we are engaging with in Central America including Belize."

"Belize has not been ignored. Belize is an integral part of CARSI, we have contributed significantly to Belize security matters from 3 to 2 million dollars a year which is a lot of assistance in our mind."

"Generally we have had a good relationship with Belize in terms of the funds we have allocated thus far. We think that we can do better at coordinating between the countries and the countries can do better coordinating amongst themselves. Between Belize and Mexico; Belize and Guatemala; Belize and Honduras. So it's not just the US bilaterally plugging in projects and programs and funds its also the countries in the region taking ownership of this issue. There is not enough money in the world to deal with this, what we do need is what is there is human beings who are willing to engage this issue and help combat it, and that goes from the Prime Minister to all you here to some grandma in the corner, that's the way these things get defeated. It's not just send hardware, helicopters and police to the scene."

Partick Jones, Reporter
"How can United assist in settling this unfounded claim to our country?"

Julissa Reynoso, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Central America and the Caribbean
"The recommendation that I believe that has come forth by the OAS is that both country should go forth and present their evidence and arguments before the ICJ, to us, seems like a legitimate and proper way to proceeding given the fact that there has been so many years of attempts of resolving this and there hasn't been a full comprehensive resolution. I think the ICJ is the most appropriate venue to deal with it. we would support the decision of the ICJ and hopefully attempt to implement it."

Partick Jones, Reporter
"What would you say so far as it pertains to offshore drilling?"

Julissa Reynoso, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State for Central America and the Caribbean
"Be careful! (Laughs) That's the message. Countries engage in oil drilling. Look at the US as an example of how things go, people can make mistakes."

Reynosso comes to Belize from a stop in Costa Rica and says that she has been to every country in the region and Belize was her last stop. She is here until tomorrow and will be visiting with the Foreign Minister and other senior government officials.