P.U.P. Southern Caucus Says No to I.C.J.

John Briceño

The P.U.P. southern caucus has taken a firm position on the matter, emphatically saying no to the I.C.J.   That stance, however, may not be indicative of the party’s official view since meetings within its ranks are still being held.

Reporter

“The southern caucus has already issued a press statement saying a resounding no towards the ICJ.  Does this not show division within the party prior to these meetings that you have scheduled for next week?”

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“Absolutely not.  We understand the southern caucus, their position.  They believe that they are the ones that have the most to lose because, well, Guatemala, in their letter that was sent in 1999 they are saying that they want to take over from the Sarstoon to the Sibun and then want to go to the ICJ for the rest of Belize and this is what some people don’t understand, that Guatemala wants everything.  Obviously they are not going to get a centimeter of Belize because Belize, we have our land document which is the 1859 Treaty.  We have possession; we’ve been on this land for over two hundred years.  We have decided as a people that we want to be a sovereign and independent nation so we have everything on our side.  Guatemala will get nothing, Guatemala deserves nothing.  Now as to our colleagues in the south, we can understand and I met with them and I said, I can understand your concerns and you believe that you are doing best to represent your people, but we still have to have that level of consultations, not only in the north and the east and the west, but also in the south.  People need to get all the facts and then at that point we are going to make a decision of what the party is going to stand for.”