Keeping it on the topic of Belize/Guatemala relations, the Prime Minister was asked why it is that his Government still has not amended the Maritime Areas Act, even though it has been recommended time and again by experts on the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute.
As we've told you, the persistent advice, even from Assad Shoman, Belize's foremost authority on the territorial dispute, is that the time has long passed for Belize to claim all its territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone off the southernmost banks of the Toledo District. As it stands right now, Belize is only claiming 3 of its 12 miles of territorial waters between the Sarstoon River and the Ranguana Cayes. That was done so that the two countries could hopefully negotiate a settlement of Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory. But since such negotiations are at end, and both countries are staring down the prospect of a ICJ solution, the advised position is that Belize should claim its entire 12 miles to enhance Belize's bargaining position.
The PUP has attempted and failed to force the Government to do this, and today, the press asked the Prime Minister why he and his administration haven't taken steps to get it done. Here's how he answered that question:
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"We haven't amended it so far despite the pulse from people to do so. And, speaking for myself, I wouldn't think this would be the right moment at which to do that. But you see, that is because, again, contrary to what I've heard people say, I don't know how on earth anybody can suggest that the forbearance, which was represented by the maritime areas act passed by the People's United Party government, I might remind you, how that can constitute any waver of our rights, how that can give rise to somewhat of an ICJ decision that would say, oh, you have already conceded certain portions of your waters because that act makes it very clear that there is no ownership concession. So, as I said, speaking for myself, I don't see why we should complicate matters at this point by, in fact, repealing the maritime areas act."
You'll remember that back on December 13th of last year, Senator Eamon Courtenay and the PUP tried to table a bill to make the amendment, but the Government's majority in that upper house voted it down.
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