Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary, US State Dept.
"I had the opportunity to fly over the Sarstoon with some helicopters that our US Army friends brought up for the purpose and we were there with the Foreign Minister, who's also the Education Minister, and the National Security Team to look at the region as well as to participate in the hand over of some new classrooms for a school in Toledo so that was very positive. The relationship that we have with Guatemala and the relationship that we have with Belize, they're both excellent, friendly relationships and partnerships that we value deeply. There's an established legal process that's looking at the border issues under the ICJ and obviously we encourage everyone to respect that process and until and unless accompanied by the changes of the established borders, they should be respected. We've had conversations in the past with both nations about this process and we hope that there will continue to be a good will and positive spirit that we've seen from leaders in both countries to address the concerns around the border. And we have the utmost confidence that there will be, I think, Prime Minister Briceno, he is doing the right things in terms of looking for constructive, positive ways to move forward on this issue. And President Arevelo in Guatemala similarly has expressed his desire to have close positive relations with Belize. So both sides, are coming to this with the right mindset. And to the extent that we're able to play a supporting role and the relationship between the two countries, we're happy to do so."