Government was served with the notice of application yesterday. It seeks, first, an injunction to stop the government from passing the 9th Amendment; second, a declaration that the re- acquisition of Telemedia by government is void; and third, an order returning Telemedia to the Alliance's control.

No date for a hearing has been set - but we are told a similar application has been lodged by the Alliance's Employee's Trust in the Belize Court of Appeal.

The CCJ application is unusual because it seeks to leap-frog the lower courts in Belize, and it will be interesting to see if the CCJ entertains it.

While that is up to the legal tacticians, for the political players, the move is interesting because with the Ashcroft Alliance now pitched in the center of the camp opposing the amendment - for the government it somewhat simplifies things politically - because they will argue either you are with the Ashcroft Alliance or with the people.

And an official release with a more than obvious political bent today went clearly in that direction. It says, quote, "The misguided people that have been arguing against the Bill have played right into Ashcroft's hands."

It adds that, quote "This latest move is proof...that the Ashcroft Alliance will stop at nothing to frustrate the democratic determination...that the Government and people of Belize should own the utilities in this country..."

It continues, "The Ashcroft action also reinforces the absolute need for the 9th Constitution Amendment Bill, which would enshrine...public ownership of...utilities and put that ownership beyond...Ashcroft's legal reach."

But the Chamber Of commerce is unconvinced. In a statement today, it says "the proposed Ninth Amendment to Belize's Constitution creates a very dangerous situation...In effect, we move from a Constitutional Supremacy...to Parliamentary Supremacy where the Parliament is supreme..."

It laments, "The potential for abuse is real. If the Legislature has absolute powers it can take away any fundamental right or freedom from Belizeans by further amending the Constitution"

And it argues, "with the Ninth Amendment we risk losing the basic rights and freedoms we as Belizeans consider the very essence of our democracy."

It closes by calling on the Government to withdraw the Ninth Amendment.

And all that nicely sets the stage for next week Wednesday at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall at 7:00 pm when the first public consultation on the ninth amendment will be held.