Belizeans took the first step towards the ICJ when they voted "yes" last Wednesday - and on Monday - Parliament will take the critical second step when it repeals two sections of the Maritime Areas Act. The act was crafted in 1992 when Belize and Guatemala were negotiating. It declared a territorial sea of 12 miles along all the coast, but proposed a concession in the south from the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Caye, where Belize only claimed three miles of territorial sea.
That was an area only reserved to negotiate a sea boundary with Guatemala. But, now that we're going to the ICJ - any possibility of negotiations is over - and before Belize lodges its case at the ICJ - it will now formally reclaim all its territorial waters.
That means amending the Maritime Areas Act, in language set out by Belize's International lawyers. A press release from the government announces that Cabinet has approved the amendments to be tabled at a special House meeting on Monday, May 20th. After that it goes to the Senate on the following day.
It's being expedited and last week Thursday the Prime Minister explained why:...
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"As soon as cabinet can give its approval we can send the copy of the draft bill to the opposition and for there to be enough time for them to be able to digest the draft. Now that it is clear that we are going to court, there is no need for the MAA to continue in existence and I imagine that there will be a complete unanimous support in the national assembly for the amendment. So perhaps not next Friday, but maybe the following week either Wednesday or the following Friday. Once that is done, we then notify the ICJ formally of the results of our referendum and the fact that it is on that we are now in a position to submit to the court's jurisdiction. We have a month to do that and thereafter as I understand the clock starts running."
So, the amendments - as crafted by a team of international lawyers - are now expected to go to the leader of the opposition before next Monday's meeting.
And, Cabinet also announced today that Assad Shoman will be the Agent of the Government of Belize at the Hague, while Ambassador Alexis Rosado will be his Co-Agent. So what's the agent? Well, that's like the team captain, coordinating all the legal, diplomatic, and organizational elements in the ICJ case. In the words of government press release, quote, "The role of the Agent is to represent Belize officially at the International Court of Justice and to monitor and coordinate the work ahead that Belize's team of lawyers and other experts will undertake as Belize takes its case to the ICJ." It's a key, huge assignment for Shoman, and he will be assisted by Ambassador Rosado - with whom he has worked for many years.
Going forward, what will be interesting is, first, whether there will be bi-partisan support for the Maritime Areas Amendment at next Monday's house meeting, and, second, whether, the PUP will support Shoman's appointment as Agent. He is a former PUP foreign Minister - but worked on the side of the government for a "yes" vote. Ambassador Lisa Shoman is also expected to play a role in the official ICJ effort.
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