P.U.P. Leader Explains Why Meeting with Southern Caucus was Cancelled
John Briceño
Turning to political news…In August, the People’s United Party’s Southern Caucus announced that it will vote against taking the Belize/Guatemala dispute for resolution to the International Court of Justice. The caucus’ stance is based on a notion that the southern section of the country stands to lose the most if the I.C.J. rules in favor of Guatemala. Last week, the caucus picked up support from Cayo Northeast area representative, Orlando Habet and Cayo South area representative Julius Espat. The caucus’ chairman, Mike Espat, along with other elected representatives met with the Belize Progressive Party and other groups who support a “NO” to the I.C.J. That meeting prompted a call for a meeting between the P.U.P. reps and Party Leader John Briceño. But that meeting was abruptly called off and it was the thinking that Briceño was not happy with the dissenting southern caucus. Today, Briceño told News Five that that was not the case. In an exclusive sit-down, the party leader explained why he decided to call off the meeting.
John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader
“I felt that it is best that I meet with the Standard Bearers/Area Representatives to talk to them one on one on this issue. But then I called it off because is aid that it would be best for me to go and meet with them, not them to come to me. It will give me an opportunity to go into their constituency, meet with their executive, meet with some of the leaders in the division and hear what is the general consensus in that constituency. That is why I changed from them coming to me as the leader going to meet all in all constituencies.”
Hipolito Novelo
“There was an original thought that there was that cancellation because they say that you wanted to speak with them about their coming out “No” to the I.C.J. and sort of scold them, so to say.”
John Briceño
“(Laughs) I don’t know where people hear these stories so I’ll just leave it at that. I know that people have expressed grave concerns, or concerns that we have the Southern Caucus that has been discussing not only with the constituency but even outside with their constituencies, with other groups as to why is it that they believe they suppose to be a ‘no’ vote. That is fine. We have allowed that. We have said that they can speak out.”
Hipolito Novelo
“You are not upset that they have spoken out to the media?”
John Briceño
“Absolutely not. They have the right and I think they should speak out so that people can best understand why they have taken that position. That is perfectly fine by me.”
