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Last week Thursday, we told you about the decision handed down by Justice Michelle Arana where SATIIM and the Mayan Communities challenged the Government's decision to grant US Capital Energy a permit to drill for oil inside the Sarstoon Temash National Park.

Both sides were claiming an overwhelming victory. Well, it seems that US Capital Energy invited the Mayans to a sit-down meeting in which their Company Lawyer, Michael Peyrefitte, wanted to explain their interpretation of the judgement.

That meeting was supposed to have taken place yesterday at the US Capital Energy office in Punta Gorda, but the communities boycotted. They took that as an attempt by US Capital to try to weaken their resolve, which they found to be outrageous.

A statement sent by SATIIM yesterday says, quote, "When did Mr. Michael Peyrefitte become the legal counsel for these communities? Is this even ethical for his profession?" End quote.

The Statement continues, "US Capital Energy and its operatives need to understand that maintaining the status quo – bullying communities - is no longer an option and that this action by the company is a vile disrespect for indigenous communities."

Tonight, 7News spoke with Peyrefitte via telephone, and he told us that SATIIM is blowing this entire matter out of proportion. He explained to us that there were some Mayans, who are neither with SATIIM nor with US Capital, who approached the company to explain the judgement to them. He said that the company engaged him to come down to explain the judgment, and they invited the rest of the Mayan Communities as a sort of transparent oversight, which would have hopefully had the effect of trying to engage to open dialog. Peyrefitte told us that he finds it unreasonable that SATIIM and the Mayan Leaders took that as an affront.

He told us that the company is trying to comply with the ruling of Justice Arana in trying to engage with the Mayans, but it seems to be a no-win situation where, if they don't consult, it's a problem, if they do, then the Mayans still complain that the company is trying influence them.