7 News Belize

PUP Tells Voters: No to The ICJ, No To The UDP
posted (May 6, 2015)

And the PUP has also wants an expedited referendum on the International Court of Justice – which may decide on the Belize – Guatemala territorial dispute. The Opposition says say they want Belizeans to vote no to the ICJ, and to the UDP:

Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition

"We are in support of holding the referendum on this matter and we will respect the decision of the Belizean people. The consensus within our party and we are preparing a proper policy statement on this matter. The consensus within our party is very clear today. I have travelled across the country, I have discussed this matter with all 31 constituencies - and it is very, very clear that the consensus is that at this time, the PUP is not in support of Belize going to the ICJ."

Eamon Courtney - PUP Foreign Affairs Advisor

"We cannot got to the ICJ being led by Wilfred Sedi Elrington. We cannot go to the ICJ to fight for our territorial integrity an territorial sovereignty by a person who believes our border is artificial. We have seen consistent, continual invasions of our territory by Guatemalan nationals with the government of Guatemala turning a blind eye - and what is worst, when security forces of Belize insist on our sovereignty being respected and have to act in their defence; our government act in singular weakness and end up paying and compensating Guatemalans. We believe that if the government of Guatemala wants to go forward to the ICJ they must show good faith. They must stop their nationals from coming across and raping the Chiquibul. They must stop their nationals from coming across and over fishing and polluting the port of Honduras. And until we see manifest signs of good faith on the ground, tangible good faith, we are not in support of going to the ICJ. So we encourage Mr. Barrow, we encourage Mr. Elrington to lets have the referendum on the same day that they want to call their general elections. We will be telling our people not to the UDP and no to the ICJ."

We'll have a little more from the opposition press conference later on when they talk about whether they support Petrocaribe funding for an ecumenical chapel at the KHMH.

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