P.U.P. Executive Discusses Incendiary Recording

The National Executive of the People’s United Party, along with municipal representatives, met at Independence Hall today in extended session. It’s the first meeting following a devastating, near absolute loss in municipal elections, so that of course was a major item on the agenda. But there’s the matter of a recorded conversation which made for much heated discussion and even, we are told, a request for former P.U.P. Leader John Briceño’s head. In the recording made unknown to Briceño prior to the municipal elections, the Orange Walk Central Area Rep speaks to Julian Chell Junior and Senior and repeats allegations made in the past about senior party officials while in government.   After four and a half hours, P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca emerged from Independence Hall flanked by former Prime Minister Said Musa, who was named in the recording, and also by the man in the spotlight, Briceño.

John Briceño

John Briceño, Former P.U.P. Leader

“A few weeks ago a tape was made of a private conversation that I had with somebody that I trusted, somebody that I knew for decades, and never did I think that person would have betrayed my trust by recording what I was telling him privately. Yesterday I took out a short statement making it clear that I will not discuss what I said privately with those individuals. We need to look forward. We need to be able to organize the party. As the party leader said, there’s a lot of work to be done. There’s a lot of reorganization of the party. There’s a lot of energy that we need to bring back to the party. We are the party of hope, and it is only the People’s United Party that can bring hope, development and opportunity for the people of Belize. Thank you.”

Reporter

“Sir even with Honorable Briceño saying that he will not speak on the issue of the recording, these things are out there now in the public forum. How does the party at this juncture react to those things that were said?”

Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

“Well we have discussed it. We had a discussion about it. This is an internal party matter. We have discussed it. We are dealing with it in that way. As I said from the very beginning we will deal with it in a very responsible way, in a brotherly way, and we believe we are on the way to resolving whatever differences exist among us. What we are focused on, as you have heard very clearly today, is moving forward…moving forward united in working together for the good of the people of this country.”