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That is until today, when Party Leader Francis Fonseca announced that the party was rejected Guatemala's recent request to change the date of the referendum or to change Belize's referendum laws. Here's the entire statement from opposition leader Fonseca which was delivered two hours ago...

Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition/PUP Party Leader
"On Sunday March 17, 2013 Guatemala put forward certain proposals that make clear its intention to breach its agreement with Belize to hold simultaneous referenda on October 6, 2013. The People's United Party (PUP) rejects any proposal which violates the spirit and letter of the Special Agreement signed by Belize and Guatemala in December 2008. Neither option proposed by Guatemala is acceptable. Guatemala's latest proposals raise serious concerns about its good faith in finding a just and definitive solution of this longstanding claim. The PUP has consistently rejected this unfounded claim while always remaining supportive of any initiative that would lead to a definitive and just solution. The PUP does not support the holding of any unilateral referendum on October 6, 2013, or on any other date. We do not support the amendment of our national law to reduce our threshold participation in referenda, simply to accommodate Guatemala. The PUP calls on the Government of Belize to remain resolute in maintaining national and international support for our inalienable right to self-determination with full territorial integrity."

Cabinet will meet tomorrow - and the early sense is that it may take the same position as the Opposition. Prime Minister Dean Barrow sad in the House of Representatives last week that he doesn't like the proposals. We'll wait and see though what tomorrow's meeting brings.

And some of the decision-making will be based on whether anyone feels the Guatemalans honestly do want to have a referendum on the ICJ. Foreign Minister Elrington says that's what they have told him - and he accepts it. But the Leader of the Opposition said he does not:

Hon. Francis Fonseca
"It's not my view that the Guatemalans want to go to the ICJ; it's not clear. In fact, their proposals would suggest to me that they have no interest in going to the ICJ any longer. Their options - the options that they - their changing positions, and certainly we believe is in breach of the spirit of that agreement, and so that must be of concern to us as Belizeans."

Fonseca also had strong criticism for Elrington who he says has done a disservice to the national interest with his public musings on Belize's Foreign Policy:

Hon. Francis Fonseca
"I think many people have cautions against the approach that the foreign minister is taking, not just the people who are supporters of the People United Party. Many other stake holders in Belize's development have cautioned against the approach he is taking. I think it is something the Government will have to take into account, which I believe he has done a grave disservice to the nation of Belize and to the people of Belize. He has made a lot of off handed comments that I believe have not serve Belize national interest, and I think the overall handling of the entire matter of the Government of Belize and by his ministry in particular, I believe leaves a lot to be desired."

Fonseca also announced that Lisa Shoman who has been involved in the discussions about the referendum first as Ambassador then as Foreign Minister and now as the Opposition's Representative will no longer be on the national negotiating team.

Quite notably, Shoman, who is known for her directness, attended today's press conference, but did not speak- and, in the end, was spoken for.