European Union offers $5 Million for referendum
Ban Ki-moon
A referendum on whether or not to elevate to the International Court of Justice, Guatemala’s claim to fifty percent of Belize’s territory has been set for October 2013 when Belizeans as well as Guatemalans will be asked to vote Yes or No. According to the Referendum Act, sixty percent of the one hundred and eighty thousand registered voters will have to participate for the referendum to be valid in Belize, but in Guatemala, only a simple majority is required. A public awareness campaign on the referendum will kick off in January but this morning, the United Nations weighed in on the matter. A statement attributed to its Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, says that (quote) “The Secretary-General salutes the progress made by Belize and Guatemala under the auspices of the Organization of American States to resolve their longstanding territorial dispute. He welcomes their decision to hold simultaneous referenda on October sixth 2013 to consult their populations on referring the dispute to the International Court of Justice. Belize and Guatemala have requested financial support from the international community for the referenda and possible eventual legal proceedings. The Secretary-General believes that this process is in line with the objective of pacific settlement of disputes enshrined in the United Nations Charter and merits international support.” (unquote)
In a related development, Guatemala’s El Periodico is reporting that the European Union will be providing two million Euros, approximately five million Belize dollars, to the process. The money, according to the newspaper, will be deposited with the OAS. The agreement is that both Belize and Guatemala will share the funds raised. Belize requires about ten million Belize dollars while Guatemala says it requires forty-six million US dollars for the referendum.
Let’s use our share of this money to harden our border instead. It’s better for the Jewel.
A BIG GAMBLE !!!
BETTER TO GO SAFE, RETURN BELIZE TO THE BRITISH !!!
LESS CORRUPTION IN EVERY GOV. DEPT.
FOOL FOOL THINKING?????
OK, FOOL FOOL TALKING.
BELIZE IS FULL OF ILLEGAL CHINESE … BUT WASHING OF HANDS CONTINUE WITH THE POOR SPANISH PEOPLE!!!
I say give them nothing nothing why should we have to give them anything let England pay them off since it Is their problem they didn’t solve .
i rather be a British colony citizen again than end up being part of peten. vote NO for the ICJ guatemala have nothing to loose we yes.
i agree with @belizean pride.. i rather be colonize by HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
than by headless , thieves and corrupted government…………. i vote NO FOR THE ICJ……….. let us be british inland AGAIN………..
Belizabeth Country!
I agree with Belizean to the Bone! I vote no for the ICJ!
In my opinion, you dont need to sell out to Guatemalas corrupt government or be britains toy country..what u need is a competent prime minister, and a non corrupt government with financial responsibility and ideas/ways to increase the gdp to pay off debts and to support the nation financially. It can be done, It’s not too late.
It has been a long journey, People we need to put a stop to Guatemala. I an sick and tired of this BULL S%^&, we may have to learn from the middle east, self defense.
Belize is for Belize-ans and we will never surrender a millimeter of soil to Guatemala. Don’t take me wrong, Guatemalans are great people. At the same time they need to acknowledge our sovereignty. I will say ” Belize is not alone and if we need to defend our home land, we will, at all cause from any foreign aggressors”.
Look at Israel and the Palestinians, any similarity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!