Belize’s awareness campaign for ICJ referendum will be in 2013

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington

While Guatemala launched its public awareness campaign on Monday, here in Belize, the launch of the campaign for the October 2013 referendum is months away. The price tag is much less at four million dollars. Foreign Minister Elrington says the government has decided to put off the start of the nationwide education campaign until early 2013.

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“It’s gonna begin in early January. The Prime Minister has specifically asked that we don’t start until January.”

Marleni Cuellar

“Do you feel that that is adequate time to be able to inform Belizeans?”

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington

“We think so. I had had my own thoughts on the matter, but quite a few people seem to think that that would be enough.”

Marleni Cuellar

“Are you of the opinion that there should be more or less time allotted?”

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington

“My own view is that the whole issue of the Belize/Guatemala dispute should have been something that we should have been teaching in our school for years.”

Marleni Cuellar

“You would have preferred a little more time spent on the campaign?”

Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington

“I would have preferred a continuous thing in the schools particularly in the schools where the children should have been taught about it.”