7 News Belize

COLA Scolds PM Over Superbond
posted (February 28, 2012)
There's only one week to go before the double election, and for all those who want to rock the boat, send a message or get some free publicity - now is the time. We don't know quite where the COLA activist group fits into that free for all, but today they called a press conference basically to scold the Prime Minister for his outspoken statements on the Superbond.

Now the COLA members are known to make some pretty outspoken statements themselves, but the group is more circumspect and measured on this one - and is urging the PM to do the same.

They certainly got the attention of their fellow activists - it was like an Alphabet Soup of activist groups up in the audience at the Biltmore today, from the BFJ, to CIFOS, to BELIZECAN, to the Commoners, to the VIP and a couple others who may still be buying a few vowels.

And before this sympathetic audience, COLA President Giovanni Brackett told the PM, 'hold it down':

Giovanni Brackett - President, COLA
"The PM's statement, which has caused great alarm both internationally and locally, is not only irresponsible, but it could be detrimental if the perceived possibility were to come to fruition. Despite the election season, we ask the Prime Minister to be more tactful in his speech. We call on the Prime Minister to cease and desist from the uses of such inflammatory language."

Patrick Menzies - BELIZE-CAN
"We want to resolve the issue, so all we're saying is PM, consider what you are saying. No one in their right mind can say that Belize does not need a restructuring. We need a restructuring, but we don't go demanding on my terms take it or leave it. That's not the way you negotiate. You go in there with humility."

Jules Vasquez
"The last time I saw you negotiate, you issued two of the same ultimatums, none of which were effected."

Patrick Menzies
"Because I was not negotiating. I said if - please go back and pay attention. I said, 'PM, I did not come here to negotiate. The reality is you do this, or you do this, period, or we go back to where we are.' That was what I said."

COLA has not reserved its options, but restrained itself from proposing any direct action events over the Superbond...

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