Last week, PUP Leader John Briceno announced to the media that the PUP would be revisiting its position on the ICJ. The party had taken a hardline against the ICJ during the latter stages of Francis Fonseca's tenure, but Briceno - who ahs always supported an ICJ solution wants to revisit that. Now he needs the support of his executive make it official. But, it seems he would definitely not have the support of his deputy leader Julius Espat who is not an ICJ advocate. Today we asked him about the difference between himself and his leader:...
Hon. Julius Espat, PUP Deputy Leader
"I don't think the party has changed its position. The party is analyzing its position which is quite different. I haven't changed mine and that is that we don't believe that going to the ICJ at this point in time is the best thing for the country. That's my position and I will stay strong with that. I know we have a problem with the west with it. We have a problem in the south with it, because it touches our hearts quite closely and so people might say well it's all about Belizeans in general. Yeah, but if you live in west at the border and Cayo South, you have to understand is where a major part of the problems lies - the Chiquibul is in our area and the guys from the south have similar problems. So, I think it's a risk too for us to take and that we will have discussions and that's important."
Jules Vasquez
"Is the new leadership ignoring the west and the south?"
Hon. Julius Espat, PUP Deputy Leader
"I think we have to give them time. The leader won a democratic process in the convention and he has all the right to pave the way he and his team sees fit and we are a part of a family, so we have to give him time, give the party time to see if their decisions are the right one and that's what we are doing."
Jules Vasquez
"So far though you are not convinced?"
Hon. Julius Espat, PUP Deputy Leader
"I haven't said that. You said that."
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