And this morning the press got a first taste of the campaign with a media mixer and information session.
Every talk show host you could throw a shoe at was there - and with free lunch provided - by the end of it, Vaughan from Vibes and Fonso from Fus Thing Da Mawnin' were shoulder to shoulder like old Kumbaya Comrades.
And that's because they finally found something they could agree on: during the question and answer session, they jointly lasered in on Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, forcing him to first concede that - no matter how strong Belize's case - there is always some litigation risk in going to court, and second, to entertain his worst case scenario.
Here's what Elrington said:
Vaughn Gill - Positive Vibes
"The Government of Belize and the Secretariat needs to be straightforward, and let the public know that there is a risk. The way that it is being worded is that there is no risk. So to me -"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Now, if you read that, that is wholely wrong. As a matter of fact, I will tell you this, Vaughn, every moment of the day, there is a risk that your heart will stop beat. There is a risk that you'll stop breathing. Life is made of risk, but you're not supposed to become - "
Vaughn Gill - Positive Vibes
"This is what the pamphlet is saying, let me read what it says -"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"Read this book, I have never seen - the truth is that I am an attorney since 77. I have never seen a stronger legal opinion in my life. We have asked to consider whether Guatemala can validly question the sovereignty of Belize over whole or any part of its territory. We can state our conclusion immediately, and without qualification, the answer is no. Belize possesses a good title to the whole of the territory, including the islands that it presently administers, within limits set by the Convention of April 30, 1859. I believe personally that the absolute worst that can happen to my mind is that they may have some determination in relation to our maritime waters. They may be able to do something in relation to that because of the narrowness of the area, and the need for Guatemala to have an exit. And - I think that this is the most."
Going forward, the Referendum Committee is expected to launch a massive public awareness campaign. But, the most important group they have to get on board is the political parties - who have been standoff-ish.
That's because they're the only ones who can mobilize enough of the electorate to make the referendum count. Under Belize law, 60% of the electorate has to vote to make a referendum valid and binding. There is no such provision in Guatemala.
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