Will P.U.P. also lobby for YES vote in 2013 referendum?
Francis Fonseca
Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca was a guest on OYE this morning, just in time to be apprised of the latest developments coming out of the meeting at the OAS in Washington. At a recent press conference Fonseca had committed to putting forward an official party position by early next month after carrying out an internal awareness and education campaign. That timeframe may shift somewhat when Guatemala’s proposals are unveiled and discussions are carried out by the government and opposition. But Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington says that he’s gotten indications from the leaders of the P.U.P. that they are all for going to the ICJ.
Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition
“We have stated very clearly for many months now that our position and I think that it is the right and proper position—I know the government and the United Democratic Party have stated their position—but I felt and I still strongly feel that the responsible thing to do is to have the education campaign be carried out. Have people have an opportunity in our party as well to hear both sides of this argument. What are the pros and cons of going to the ICJ? What are the inherent risks, the inherent benefits of going to the ICJ? And then people can make a proper judgment and a proper decision as it relates to whether or not feel they fell they should vote yes or no. So that is the process that we are engaged in. We are doing it internally. As you know, we are engaged in the public education campaign as well, but we are also carrying out our internal campaign. We have said that we would like to deal with that matter very early. We had stated at the end of March, but because of the new developments, I think we would have to push that back a bit, but not too much—a few weeks. We will have to see exactly what Guatemala’s position is; what the government of Belize’s position is in relation to Guatemala’s new position. And then as a party we will sit down and discuss that and determine how we move forward.”
Wilfred Elrington
Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We know that all the leaders of the opposition who have written on this matter and who have spoke on this matter have indicated quite clearly that the best option is to go to the ICJ. So we would want to think that they too would be very vocal in advocating for a yes vote. Unfortunately to date, the opposition has not made any formal position. But we are hearing from the government in Belize that yes we want a YES vote. We are hearing from the Guatemala’s that yes they want a YES vote to the referendum. It is only for us now to hear from our opposition in Belize as to what they want. But the leaders of the opposition who have written on the matter—and I would think that these are the intellectuals in the party—the leaders intellectual in the party have made it very clear both orally and in writing that they think that yes we should advocate for a YES vote.”
Elrington says that the support of the Opposition is critical if there is to be a majority YES vote in the referendum scheduled for October sixth. He even went so far as to say that in a matter so critical, he finds it strange that the Opposition has been reticent in coming forward with support for going to the ICJ.
Of course they will. this ICJ baby was born fully wrapped, from head to toe, in blue and white. ICJ is a PUP baby and they are proud of it. Was it not Minister Elrington who said that they are following the Belize- Guatemala plan left by the PUP because they, the UDP, could not had come with a better one?.
There you go Lucas, because of people like you politics is how it is. If the PUP started this and now the UDP continues with it, we should be proud that the UDP were not ignorant to throw it out because the PUP started it.
That is the attitude the parties should have, if one party starts something good, when another party wins they should contunue with it, not throw it out! but because of ignorant people like you politicians prefer to throw it out because they know they will receive negative feed backs…that they are weak, that they cannot come with something better, or a better idea of how to do things etc, etc.
That is definately not beneficial for the countries’ development!!!!!!!
It’s ridiculous that Fonseca & Co. cannot figure out what they want on this most important issue — one that they conceived and created! That policy is slow and cowardly surrender to Guat aggression.
Leaders lead, losers follow.
Both the national parties are sell-outs on this matter. No to the ICJ, then throw all the rascals out!
Y di gangnam style picture?