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The Prime Minister outlined the persistence the Belizean diplomatic effort and the intransigence of the Guatemalans:...

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Belize continues to press and to press not only the Guatemalans directly, but the international community. Perhaps later on he can give you the markers that show how consistently we get declarations from international organizations including the ACP, Commonwealth Secretariat, CARICOM - so just last week Ambassador Gutierrez in Washington raised the matter once more with the OAS Secretary General, who then instructed his ambassador - the secretary general made the point that the Guatemalans cannot be allowed simply to slide. There is no way the OAS or Belize can twist their arm and get them to sign a protocol. But the constant worrying at them, the constant reminders, the constant push that in being intransigent, they are in fact poking a finger in the eye of the OAS and of other international organizations is something that Belize continues to maintain. They continue to stall. We continue to push. I am not sure that we will succeed in getting them to comply with what is a kind of mandate, certain from the OAS. Especially given that there are some huge internal issues as you know currently taking place in Guatemala and with the president. But that's where we are. We continue to press. We will not leave off pressing admittedly so far without success, but in the circumstances, since as I say we cannot actually physically coarse them into signing. We do the next best thing, the only thing and maintained such pressure."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How does this fit in with the minister of national security's guided tour down river?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"That hasn't come to cabinet and so I'm not too sure that we are we all the details. If the minister has announced a guided tour I am sure he absolutely knows what he is about. But I would withhold comment until cabinet can talk about this tomorrow."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"As Chairman of national security council, isn't that a security issue?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No doubt. But I haven't chaired a meeting with the National Security Council for a while. Because I haven't been here for a while, we are having one I think next week. But National Security Council apart, the cabinet surely will want to know what's up with this notion - what the details are and so there will without a doubt be a discussion tomorrow."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"As the head of government, are you appraised of an encounter that the BDF had with the GAF, as the case may be where a BDF patrol was on the river and was stopped by the GAF. This happened 4-6 weeks ago, and was forced to stop and told that they cannot be in the river even though they were on the Belize side. Are you appraised of such a encounter?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No I was not. I wasn't here. But I am sure the minister can speak to it, if you wish."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Minister?"

Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"I am aware there was an attempt, but our BDF has never listened to whatever the Guatemalan military would ask them to do. We've always maintained our right to pass through the Sarstoon. We have never been stopped. We have always pursued."