Opposition Leader to Embark in I.C.J. Referendum Listening Tour
John Briceño
As of next week, P.U.P. Leader John Briceño will embark on a nationwide ‘listening’ tour. It’s his way of getting to know how the party’s standard bearers, area representatives, and supporters feel about taking Guatemala’s maritime, insular and territorial claim to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. Briceño will visit all thirty-one constituencies, after which the party’s executive will meet and announce a formal position on the matter. Briceño explained that the P.U.P. will then take an official and unified stance.
John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader
“I will be meeting all thirty-one constituencies with their current standard bearers and to hear them out. I will not going there to convince anyone for either yes or no. And just to listen to them. What are their concerns? Why is it that they are saying no? Why is it that they are saying yes? Hopefully by the time I finish that entire listening tout we can bring our party to a consensus as to whether we should vote yes or vote no to the ICJ. It is an opportunity to be able for us to start the educational campaign within ourselves. But then I believe now that by then having a direct consultation with all thirty-one constituencies, when we finish that listening tour then I think I can have a better feel as to what the party is thinking. If the majority of the party says that they believe that we should say then we will say no then we will say no. It is a democratic party. And if the majority believes that we suppose to say yes then we will say yes. It is important that we give an opportunity to all the members of the party to get educated and to listen to both sides of the party before they make a decision. Hopefully we can come to a consensus that will allow us to remain united in this very important issue.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Sir, many of the area reps/standard bearers of the P.U.P. have expressed a strong stance against going to the I.C.J. They are no to the I.C.J. It does not seem likely that their opinion or choice would change overtime because from what I read and listened to, they are very strong in regards to that stance. Are you saying that there is a possibility that if the majority of area reps say no that you yourself will change your vote because we know that you have said yes to the I.C.J.?
John Briceño
“Remember I lead a party and the party will have a position. The party will have a position to say no to the I.C.J. or yes to the I.C.J. But when you go to vote, you will vote as an individual and individuals when they get into the booth they will decide what they believe should be in the best interest of Belize whether they vote no or vote yes.”
