Posted: March 22, 2016. 7:32 p.m. CST.
By Aaron Humes: Today Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier General David Jones, issued a report on the ongoing efforts to ease tensions between his forces and those of Guatemala
in the Sarstoon River.
Speaking in Belize City, General Jones said he has established camaraderie with his counterpart and they will be meeting soon to establish a protocol, not only for military officers but also for civilians traveling in the river.
General Jones said that both forces and countries are committed to peace. The lack of confidence building measures and even protocol for situations in the Sarstoon, according to the commander, is the primary reason why Guatemala acts more aggressively in the South than it does in the West.
In related news, a report by the Belize Defence Force (BDF) which was released ten years ago offered new insights into activity in the Sarstoon area. But it also brings up the question: when it comes to national security, how much knowledge is too much?
Brigadier General David Jones, current BDF commander, believes the report’s leak not only reflects badly on his organization, but also puts the country he protects in danger.
Even as General Jones seemed to downplay the importance of the report, he admits that there is a political problem underlying the potential for violent conflict – something, he says, that needs to be quickly resolved.
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