COLA’s “State of the Nation” Address

Giovanni Brackett

Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA, under the presidency of Giovanni Brackett, held press conference this morning to discuss a range of current social and political issues affecting the country.  While the head table presented a number of concerns, including crime and violence, as well as land ownership and internet penetration, it failed to identify a singular issue for thorough discussion.  But in a prepared speech, Brackett broached the issue of the pending simultaneous referenda in Belize and Guatemala on the question of elevating the longstanding territorial claim to the International Court of Justice for resolution.  COLA’s position is that it will soon be launching an anti-referendum and ICJ campaign.

Giovanni Brackett, President, COLA

“COLA has been on the record that we are against going to the ICJ for obvious reasons and we believe that Belizeans need to be told the truth—that Belize has far more to lose going to the ICJ than Guatemala. We don’t need an international court of justice to tell us that this is our nation; Belize is a sovereign nation. We at COLA are outraged at the OAS. With the rampant illegal actions by Guatemala to continue to rape our forest, illegally settled on our territory, illegally hunt our wildlife, illegally fish and pollute our waters; that the OAS yet to condemn these actions. Yet when a Guatemalan is killed who is trying to aggress or attack one of our armed forces and is killed, the OAS calls it reprehensible. And we find it suspicious and appalling that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tightlipped as it relates to matters of our borders. It appears that our only foreign policy as it relates to our borders is silence. Well COLA will make it very clear that we will campaign starting now to a complete no to ICJ. In terms of specifics as to what those actions will be, those will be discussed further at our executive level and with our membership. Btu there will be actions and I can tell you that as it relates to the International Court of Justice matter; that there will be volatile actions to stopping that from Belize to take this to the ICJ.”

COLA says that the launch of their campaign will succeed an executive meeting to decide on a date and a strategy.  The referendum will take place on October sixth, 2013.