Union is Challenged to Formulate a Position on ICJ

Seasoned negotiator Assad Shoman, an expert on the Belize/Guatemala issue, has a total of forty-one years of experience dealing with the territorial dispute.  He challenged educators to go a step further and to hold a special convention to make a determination on how to end the claim. He supports the I.C.J. way and warns that Belize is in trouble.

Assad Shoman, Opposition Representative

Assad Shoman

“So the message wasn’t different as the question I was suggesting.  The message remains the same: let us end the claim.  Have recognized borders with our neighbors, borders they would respect and by now I.C.J. is the only way or we will lose our country as we know it.  We’re in danger, we’re in trouble.  So what can you do?  Once upon a time in the Belize trade union had real power and you still have the potential to have power if you organize intelligently with the support of the wider community and struggle for those things you know are right and necessary for the survival, for the beneficial and equitable development of Belize.  I see that you are trying to do that now.  I note that you are launching BNTU’s “Stand Up for Belize” educational campaign on the differendum and I congratulate you.  I applaud you and I thank you for asking me to be here to witness this historic event.  You have decided to engage in the battle of ideas and you shall win.  But if we are to win this battle of ideas we have to get things right.  We have to have the right information and analyze it correctly.  We cannot be swayed or allow our youth to be swayed by people who have their own axe to grind, who have their own partisan interest at heart, who misinform and inflame people in order to influence them.”