Julius Espat Discusses Referendum Loss and Maritime Areas Act
The People’s United Party is meeting on Friday to determine a position ahead of a collective vote on the proposed amendment to the Maritime Areas Act. The House of Representatives will convene a special session on Monday to table specific changes to that piece of legislation. Earlier today, we caught up with Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat who touched on a range of issues, including the Maritime Areas Act, during a sit down with the media. In that interview Espat was also quizzed about the P.U.P.’s withdrawal of a claim it had before the high court in respect of the constitutionality of the Special Agreement signed between Belize and Guatemala in 2008. Espat responded to that question first, before discussing his vote on the pending amendment.
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South
“I was one of the first to sit down with the party leader after the loss to tell him that we shouldn’t continue. I believe legally, we have an excellent case that government did not follow the rule of law, but politically it is suicide because the people of Belize have already spoken and we have to accept and respect that and for that reason, we decided that the people have already decided and we are a family. Belize is a family, U.D.P. or P.U.P. and we can’t quarrel about that situation now. It is over. It is now our responsibility in my opinion, as Opposition, to be able to pray, hope, work, do whatever is possible so that we get excellent representation so that the result five years from now can be as positive as it can for the country. That’s all we can ask for.”
Reporter
“What will you say about the expected backlash from people who will argue that if you believe the constitution is being violated why don‘t you push through to ensure that that is proven?”
Julius Espat
“The case has already gone in, the claim is there if anybody wants it they just have to put their name and continue. Let‘s see which other Belizeans want to take on the baton. We are now geared up for a general election. That is our focus. We are here to bring down this government and that is what we will do. We will work as hard as we can to beat them in the next general elections. That is our mission and so we are comfortable with that.”
Reporter
“Are you able to say how you will vote if there is a division in relation to the amendment of the Maritime Areas Act?”
Julius Espat
“I can‘t tell you exactly how I will vote because I haven‘t seen the details. But in spirit, I believe I will vote yes, once it‘s within the rule of law, once it’s beneficial for country and once it helps our case going to the I.C.J., I can fairly tell you that I would vote yes.”
