EDITORIAL - Don't escalate the row with Honduras

Our advice is that the national security minister, Mr Dwight Nelson, tone down the rhetoric and allow the foreign ministry to get on with the business of diplomacy.

For a hardening of positions is in neither country's interest ahead of substantive discussions on Tegucigalpa's claim that our coastguard used excessive force in firing on a Honduran vessel that was reported to be fishing illegally in Jamaican waters, allegedly killing the boat's captain and wounding at least two other crewmen. This is particularly true in this case where mutual interest is at stake, including how the countries share the resources of the seas between them in accordance with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas.

This is not to suggest that Jamaica, as Mr Nelson stressed it must, does not have the right to protect its economic interests and the security of its territorial seas. But, as we suppose he has already been advised by the foreign minister, Dr Ken Baugh, muscle-flexing is not always the best way to resolve problems, differences or disputes with neighbours.

Inappropriate tone

In the circumstance, we do not believe that Mr Nelson struck the most appropriate tone with his declaration that: "As minister of national security, I am stating that as of now we are going to get tough on persons who encroach on Jamaica's territorial waters."

The remark could be interpreted other than was meant by Mr Nelson, thereby sending the wrong signal to the coastguard, as well as the Honduran government.

This would be most unfortunate, especially in the context of the controversy that surrounds last weekend's events off the Jamaican south coast in the region of the Pedro Cays. That is an area where Honduran and other countries' vessels are known to fish illegally and through which, as Mr Nelson reminded, contraband is known to flow.

In this case, the Jamaican authorities reported, the coastguard confronted a vessel that refused to stop, causing them to fire across its bow. The fishing boat is then reported to have turned, assuming a position to ram the coastguard vessel. It was fired upon and boarded.

Dead captain

It is unfortunate that in their initial public report of the confrontation, the Jamaican authorities confined their statement only to the two injured men who were brought to this country for treatment. Nothing was said of the alleged death of the fishing vessel's captain, as was claimed by its crew. The Jamaican authorities have, by way of explanation, said the coastguard crew that boarded the fishing vessel was not allowed to see the dead man's body.

While we might still be uneasy with how 'Pepe' Lobo was elected to the Honduran presidency a year ago, after the coup d'état against Manuel Zelaya, Jamaica has, like much of the region, recognised his legitimacy. By implication, Kingston is willing to do business with Mr Lobo's administration, which is represented in Jamaica via the Mexican Embassy.

Three interrelated issues are, therefore, important. Both sides have to settle the immediate matter and then move on to the broader question of cooperation on border security. Illegal fishing and the movement of contraband do not happen in a single direction.

Of greater long-term significance, though, is the need for Kingston and Tegucigalpa to move to reopen and settle delimitation talks.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.