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Ever since the shooting death of Danny Conorquie on September 26th., the Caracol site has been closed to visitors – but special provision was made for the Leader of the Opposition and his Deputy Leader to go there on Sunday. They were escorted principally by the Friends For Conservation and Development plus a security cordon. They came back with a 9 point list of security suggestions which was presented to the media at a press conference today:

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of The Opposition

"It is not a political issue, the PUP have come to the Belizean people with this issue, not only because we have a duty and obligation to do so. But also because regrettably, the UDP government has consistently expressed and displayed a reluctance to work with the opposition or anyone else on any issue of national importance Government must convene and urgent meeting of all relevant stakeholders, inclusive of government, opposition, friends for conservation and development, tour guides association, BTB, NICH, forestry, the ministry of natural resources and our security forces, the BDF and Belize police department."

That urgent security meeting was only one of 9 which were presented today. But, we had to ask, does the Opposition have a deep enough understanding of the many issues to make those proposals. Here's how that exchange went:…

Jules Vasquez

"There's a thing that I heard about called conflict tourism. Conflict tourism, people go to conflict sites all over the world and they mingle in that area and they enjoy the adrenaline and rush of that area. How you answer the criticism that in fact, this is just a cursory and there is superficial examination of a problem that is incredibly complexed? And that in fact, you're just forwarding a wish list from FCD and the people at the state level, who make the decisions have much weighed your considerations."

Hon. Francis Fonseca

"The purpose of my trip to that area, was to visit the area, to see the site if the slaying of Danny Conorquie. To see what is taking place in the Chiquibul forest. It was a very cursory visit, we didn't go deep into the Chiquibul, but it was an important visit. As the leader of the opposition, as a party preparing to form the government of Belize, we have a duty and obligation to understand these things for ourselves. You're right in saying that 80% of those recommendations came from our discussions with FCD. I embrace that, i'm very proud of that. The point is, we recognise that there in lays the beginning to the answer of this very serious problem. We recognise that the future requires partnership with Guatemala, socially, economically. Working with them, trying to strengthen our relationship as communities living side by side and nations living side by side. We understand that, we accept that, we're committed to that. At the same time, when it comes to national security issues, we have to be very clear, he have to be very strong. Until we resolved this unfounded claim, until Guatemala abandons this unfounded claim, we have a country that is claiming Belize. And until we reach that day, then we have to sleep with our own eyes, we have to make sure that we are wide awake and that any agreement with Guatemalan companies, we have to be sure that none of those arrangements pose any risk to our national security."

Julius Espat, Cayo South Representative

"We have to cooperate with them economically, we have cooperate with them socially, culturally. But we have to tell them, this is ours, this is the line. When you come to our side, you respect our laws just as when we go to your side, we respect your laws."

And while the Leader of the Opposition was sufficiently circumspect – his deputy leader was passionate. In fact, you could say he had jungle fever! Espat seemed to be reading verses from the gospel of FCD – the Friends for Conservation and Development – and he did so with the zeal of a man who has found religion – right up to banging on the table:

Julius Espat

"It annoyed me that we can come to the House of Representatives and we can talk about political spending but we don't have the interest to protect thousands and thousands of acres. That is something I think the media need to go out there and see personally. You have to experience it. Please there is a telethon coming up we have to do everything in our power to help this organisation get funding. We have to call the prime minister so that he can better fund the BDF and police. This is something that is critical for our nation, and we're taking it lightly. They spend more money on parties and political conventions than they are spending to protect our country. This problem we're having in December where they're going to give away to the middle class, that money should be used to defend our territory. To give uniform and equipment to our BDF, that is what i'm talking about. You guys need to be out there to feel it, to understand it and get a better appreciation."

Of course, we have been out there many times, and we do understand it –Deputy Espat is the one who either doesn't have cable or is the last to the party –but to be fair, he's within his area Cayo south covers a large part of the Chiquibul.