Should Assad Shoman Lead I.C.J. Referendum Campaign?
Assad Shoman
Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington, has come under heavy criticism for the nature of the ministry’s I.C.J. Referendum Campaign. On April tenth, 2019 voters will head to the polls and answer one of the most important questions in Belize’s history: “should the Guatemala’s claim be taken to the I.C.J. for final resolution?” From the unofficial online polling, the general sentiments suggest that majority of the electorate would vote “No.” There are those in the public that believe that there is not enough and adequate information on the matter and that the government campaign is one-sided. Today, we asked P.U.P. Leader John Briceño if he would support the postponement of the referendum date, similar to what Guatemala did twice.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“If in my tour people believe that maybe we should postpone the date, I would make that recommendation to the government and say that I get the sense that people believe that we should chance the date for whatever reason. I would make that recommendation provided that is what I get after my meeting with the thirty-one constituencies but whether if the Government will change the date or not that is something that I think you need to ask them that question.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Many people have criticized the Ministry of Foreign affairs especially Minister Wilfred Elrington with regards to this I.C.J. campaign, lack of it some may say. Do we need Assad Shoman to head this I.C.J. campaign? “
John Briceño
“I think what is most important is for us to have a good educational campaign. We need to lay the facts to the Belizean people and the government has failed miserably with that, miserably. I’d hope that they would be able to ramp up the educational campaign to ensure that the people can get the facts. If at the end of the day the people say no then it is no. I have always said, I respect the collective wisdom of the Belizean people and if collectively we say no, it is for a reason and I respect and support that. Assad as we all know is one of the most knowledgeable people, person in Belize.”
