Former Prime Minister Supports Postponement of I.C.J. Referendum Date

We also asked Musa about the upcoming April tenth I.C.J. Referendum. Opposition Leader John Briceño has called on the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, to postpone the referendum for several reasons, including the education campaign or lack thereof.  Briceño suggested a date after the 2020 general elections and PM Barrow, however, shut down the suggestion, stating that the date will remain fixed.  Musa believes that the date should be postponed primarily due to the negative reactions that the public has had for Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington who has been leading the campaign.

Said Musa

Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George Division

“Many people I speak to haven’t heard anything about what is the real position. The pro and cons as we say which is what the Government promised to do and should have been doing. Instead what we have been getting is rhetorical statements as to why we must vote yes and if we don’t vote yes we must be made or something. Hey, that is no way to persuade people about anything. Certainly if you tell me that if I don’t agree with you on this I am crazy then certainly there would be a backlash to that suggestion that you would put to me. I suspect that is what is happening now, why there are so many voices crying out for a no vote. So yes I agree the air has to be cleared and the issue has to be better explained by a more informed person as oppose to a politician who whenever he speaks only talks about what he has done. In other words, a narcissistic approach to a serious issue like the Belize/Guatemala issue is not the correct approach. I don’t care how many times Mr. Elrington demonstrated or whatever he did in the past. The point is that he is demonstrating a very unfortunate approach and a hysterical approach to this issue that he can educate the average Belizeans about this issue. That is where I think the Government has gone and until and unless the Prime Minister does something about it by putting somebody in charge of this thing that can really carry out a proper education program or lead it. I do know there are competent people who are involved as well but they are held back and the voice that you are hearing is only the Foreign Minister. That is not good enough so I support the postponement yes.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Sir, you are pro-I.C.J.?”

Said Musa

“I am. Yes.”