Senator Courtenay Blames U.D.P. for Late Revelation on Honduras Claim

Eamon Courtenay

Following Peyrefitte’s argument, Senator Courtenay pointed out that it was Peyrefitte and his government in 2019 that held the I.C.J. Referendum without disclosing the Honduras claim to Belizeans. Courtenay explained that they are now prohibited from sharing everything on the matter, so as to protect the integrity of Belize’s case against Guatemala.

Senator Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business

“Senator Chanona asked the question: why was the Honduras issue not featured prominently during the campaign for the referendum. It was echoed by Senator Martinez, Senator Benguche. The only person in this chamber who has an obligation and a duty to answer that question is the Honourable Senator Michael Peyrefitte, who championed the referendum, championed a “yes” vote and presented the Belizean people an argument – unu remember this? “Ironclad!” Remember this? “Slam dunk!” Madam President, the answer to the question lies with those who were the architects and ran the campaign for the referendum in 2019. The Honourable Michael Peyrefitte represents the United Democratic Party on the Belize-Guatemala issue. He has had access to all the research. He has had access to all the advice. He has attended every single meeting. He knows very well he and I have been instructed by our legal team not to disclose certain things because it would prejudice the national interest of Belize. So to come here and to grandstand in circumstances where he knows that I cannot disclose the advice that we have received, where he knows that there’s information that we have in our joint possession that we cannot disclose is regrettable because he is giving the Belizean people the impression that the People’s United Party has one view and the United Democratic Party has another view and that is not so.”