B.P.P. Upset at Comments of US Ambassador

Paco Smith

The Belize Progressive Party has taken umbrage with recent comments made U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno on the Belize/Guatemala issue.  Ambassador Moreno has expressed support in taking the territorial claim to the International Court of Justice for resolution.  The B.P.P., on the other hand, stands firmly behind its position that the matter should be resolved through other means.  The party is critical of Moreno’s position, stating that it goes beyond the ambit prescribed for diplomats.

Paco Smith, Chairman, B.P.P.

“We issued a press release stating our concern with regards to some comments made by the U.S. Ambassador in relation   to Belize Guatemala relations. The purpose of issuing this release is basically for the benefit of the Belizean public in as much that we realize that our people are quite impressionable. One of the fundamental reasons why we saw the need to do so is because unfortunately, coming from the powers that be internally—that being the government of Belize, the U.D.P. and the P.U.P.; the P.U.D.P.—there has been a singular narrative put out there with regards to what Belize can and should do in terms of Guatemala’s aggression. We at the B.P.P. hold fast that definitely going to the ICJ is not the only route or is it the most prudent route. In as much as the U.S. Ambassadors utterances is concerned, it is unfortunate, it is regrettable that he chose that medium to express his sentiments in that fashion. Nonetheless, our emphasis is on the people of Belize; to just reassurance them that irrespective of whomsoever says what out there, keeping with the Belizean adage, “you must check yo change.” Do your due diligence and understand that just because someone says something does not necessarily mean it is in the best interest of Belize.”

Isani Cayetano

“Suffice it to say nonetheless that this is a conversation that everybody is weighing in on and everybody has an opinion from the highest office to those are the grassroots level. Correct?”

Paco Smith

“Absolutely and with authority comes responsibility. In so far as we are concerned, matters of this magnitude, especially given the unmitigated Guatemalan aggression that is taking place could inevitably influence certain sectors within our society. At this point, as tenuous as things are right now, we really don’t need any fueled added to the fire.”

Isani Cayetano

“The Belize Progressive Party is firmly against going to the ICJ for resolution in the face of other pundits, if I may, who are pro-ICJ. How do you guys fit into this big picture in terms of persuading or influencing public opinion on this controversial matter?”

Paco Smith

“First and foremost, outreach into the community and also to the good efforts of stations such as yourself, giving us the opportunity to voice our opinion, to put forth the facts that we know to be true. And just basically remain in tune with the public and letting them know that we are there, steadfast with regards to our resolve because if you look at the ebb and flow of things as they occurred over the past several years, leading up to the past incidents, it is quite evident that there is a singular narrative that is being purposefully put out by the powers that be.”

The B.P.P. says that the ambassador’s choice of words comes extremely close to violating tacit rules which prohibit envoys from interfering in the affairs of sovereign nations.