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Our Daniel Ortiz attended, and here's his report:

Daniel Ortiz Reporting

At today's Opening Ceremony of the GOB's ICJ public awareness campaign, leaders and dignitaries from across the majority of Belize's social, political and religious sector gathered en masse to validate the significance an event that is sure to be noted in Belize's history.

Everyone listened intently as the Referendum Secretariat opened the discussion of what led up to this decision to let the nation choose whether or not they support settling this matter in court.

H. E. James Murphy - Referendum Secretariat
"We are delighted, grateful and honored to have you here; knowing that many of you have traveled long distances, and included this event in busy schedules, points to how important this morning's ceremony is. Today, the Ministry will launch its public awareness campaign, preparatory to referendum on October 6, to determine whether the people of Belize support referring the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice for Final Settlement. Belize has participated in negotiations aimed settling this dispute since 1962. Over the past half century, many patriotic, nationalist, political leaders and public officers, often with the support of dedicated private sector leaders serving on various advisory commissions and committees have tried mightily to come up with a settlement that would have enabled us to put this dispute behind us. Belizeans will have the opportunity to decide whether Guatemalan Claim should be referred to the ICJ for final settlement. Over the course of the next 9 months, the public awareness campaign will seek to sensitize Belizeans across the length and breadth of our great country, to the facts of the dispute, and about the adjudication process of reaching a final and definitive settlement. We will present the pros, the cons, and the risks of referring the dispute to the ICJ. The Belizean people, in their informed wisdom, will then make an informed decision."

Next up was the Leader of the Opposition, who touched on how tricky this issue is to deal with in light of the strong opinions that members of the public have.

Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition
"This, ladies and gentlemen, is the question that will undoubtedly dominate our national conversations and consciousness for many months to come. Our People's United Party is obligated and committed to being a part of that national conversation. Those who support going to the ICJ argue that it represents a final and definitive settlement of the long-standing Anglo-Guatemalan Dispute, Guatemala's claim to Belize, and can lead to new opportunities to funding national development programs, and border security. They find comfort in the legal opinions of leading international lawyers who view Belize's case as iron-clad. Those in support of a no-vote anchor their arguments in Belize's independence and sovereignty, our history of development, international recognition, and our right to self-determination. 'Why risk all this?' they ask, 'Before a super-national institution, which may not have our interests at heart, and whose history is schewed toward compromise.' And they ask, 'Is Guatemala serious this time.' Indeed, Belizeans have every justification for being filled with skepticism and cynicism as it relates to Guatemala's good faith commitment to the process we are currently engaged in. Belizeans have grappled with this unjust claim for decade upon decade, and have, as a people, resisted with every national fiber any formulation of 'Belice es Nuestro, in every political and international forum possible, loudly, vigorously and consistently. There must be no doubt that is the people of Belize who will decide how this most serious matter will be decided."

And in that context, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that the Cabinet, the UDP Party, and he personally will vote yes to ICJ, in trying to put this matter to rest:

Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"As you have heard, Belize since 1962, has participated in every manner of negotiation to try to put an end that we have always maintained, is completely unfair, and is completely unfounded. All efforts at negotiations failed. Speaking for myself, I have made it clear that I will vote yes, but I will strong-arm no one to follow my lead. The Cabinet also formally supports a yes-vote, but individual members are allowed a conscience to opt out. Similarly, the National Party Council of the United Democratic Party has agreed to ask the Party's National Convention meeting next month, to pass a resolution encouraging a yes-vote, but constituency leaders, executive members, and the rank and file will, in the end, make up their own minds and be free to vote as they see fit. And that is the way it must be for all Belizeans."

And after both leaders stated their positions, the floor was opened for GOB's social partners to publicly announce their support of the campaign:

Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute - President, Methodist Conference: Belize and Honduras
"The Belize Council of Churches supports the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Affair, by the way of the Referendum Commission, to conduct a nationwide education campaign."

Rev. Eugene Crawford - President, Association of Evangelical Churches
"I stand here this morning representing the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches. The Association supports the vehicle, the awareness campaign, which will be done over this time leading up to the October 6 voting."

Mayor Simeon Lopez - President, Belize Mayor's Association
"On behalf of the Belize Mayor's Association, I wish to commend the officials, whose negotiating skills and commitment to the effort to settle the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute, have brought us to this important point in our history."

Orlando Dawson - President, National Association of Village Councils
"Our Association thanks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its campaign to fully inform the Belizean people."

Alfonso Caal - President, Toledo Alcalde's Association
"We know that we are in a time now to think. Let us prepare ourselves. Let us think of our country the better - like the speaker said - we know that it is not only for us; it is for our children."

Kay Menzies - President, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
"As a representative of over 900 employers in this country, we endorse the process. We will encourage the process whenever we can; we will disseminate the process as best we can."

Courtney Weatherburne - Tertiary Level Representative, Referendum Commission
"My message to my fellow youth, it is our duty as Belizean citizens and the future leaders of this country to participate and be engaged in process for our benefit, and for the benefit of our nation."

And while those in favor of the education campaign were embraced, those advocating against it weren't so welcomed.

During the endorsement speeches, COLA President, Geovanni Brackett, and fellow advocate, Wil Maheia, were ejected from the gathering for opening their flags and showing them to the cameras.

Other than that, they sat quietly the entire time, in deference to those of high office. They only became disruptive when they were unceremoniously kicked out.

The education campaign will be in 3 month stages. In the first 3 months, the committee will be meeting with different schools and institutions across the country.

According to Stuart Leslie, the Referendum Coordinator, he said that Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington had lunch this afternoon after the ceremony with 40 high school students, and the committee is scheduled to meet with students from Wesley College tonight.

They move on tomorrow to Saint John's College where another meeting will be held. Leslie said that at this moment, they are holding meetings on an invitational basis, and they will put together a schedule in the near future.

In the second 3-month stage, the committee will be holding meeting at different, towns and villages across the country, and in the last increment, they will intensify the campaign.