Building houses and confidence.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: OAS

IN A REMOTE VILLAGE in Guatemala's Peten department, the OAS has begun building houses to relocate some fifty families affected by territorial negotiations between Belize and Guatemala. The project is the latest step in a long-term effort to promote the peaceful settlement of the countries' territorial "differendum."

The first phase involves constructing fifteen houses--simple, wooden structures built on "skirts" of concrete blocks--in the village of Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala. Following a model the OAS has used in Nicaragua, one member of each family that will benefit must help with the construction.

The resettlement effort applies to families that meet specific criteria under an agreement Belize and Guatemala signed at the OAS on February 7, 2003. The agreement establishes confidence building measures designed to reduce tensions during a transitional period, while the two countries work toward a permanent settlement of territorial issues.

In July of last year, the OAS established an office hi the so-called Adjacency Zone between the two countries. Located between immigration crossings of both countries, the office is charged with verifying, at the request of either side, any incidents...