P.U.P.’s Decision to Oust Arthur Saldivar Stands, Says Party Leader
Arthur Saldivar
As you know, the P.U.P. will be seeking a new standard bearer for Belize Rural North. Arthur Saldivar was removed on Wednesday after serious allegations were made against him and the party executive pressed for his ouster. Of course, it is not going down well for Saldivar, who is vowing to run as an independent P.U.P. Immediately following his fall from grace, Saldivar held a one-man press conference at the Radisson Fort George during which he said that “there’s much to be desired of Francis Fonseca’s leadership” Well today, Fonseca responded and while he is not taking it personal, the P.U.P. leader says the party’s decision stands.
Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader
“Anybody who is removed will not be happy with the leader; that’s taken for granted. So I have no comment on that. We did what we believe was in the best interest of the P.U.P. at this time and what is in the best interest of Belize. And that decision was taken not only by Francis Fonseca; that decision as taken by the national executive of the P.U.P. That decision stands.”
Reporter
“Is it possible that he can again be reinstalled at the national convention as he claims?”
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca
“No. That is not possible.”
Reporter
“He said he wants to challenge you at the national convention. It may be idle talk, but it is a fundamental principle that he feels that all posts are opened for challenge at the national convention and we all know a resolution was passed making it not so. How do you view that?”
Francis Fonseca
“I don’t view that in anyway. He is free to say what he wants to do and the national executive of the P.U.P. has made a decision and we stand by that decision so there is no question of any challenge to the leadership of the party.”
Reporter
“However, theoretically the George Price idea is that anybody could lead the P.U.P. That’s how it was originally set up. So he is anybody.”
Francis Fonseca
“(Chuckles) The…yes and I am saying to you that yes he can say what he wants and he can desire to do what he wants, but the national executive of the party—as Mister Price always also said—when the party speaks and the party makes a decision, we must all support that decision and abide by that decision and that is the decision of the People’s United Party in 2014.”
According to Fonseca, it is of no concern to him or the party that Saldivar plans to run independently in Belize Rural North. His replacement, according to Fonseca will be in place by the end of the year.
