And responding to that controversial statement from Elrington today, Opposition Leader John Briceno was reserved, but used the opportunity re-state his confidence in a favorable judgement form the ICJ. In an interesting historical revision, he says that if anyone is made to pay or give anything to the Guatemalans, it should be the British who entered into the 1859 treaty and then failed to honor its obligation to build a road from Guatemala City to the Caribbean sea.
Here's Briceno's reaction and reasoning:...
Reporter
"The Foreign Minister stated that the people in the disputed area in the south could become refugees if the ICJ rules against Belize. You are an ICJ proponent, have you considered at all the possibilities of litigation risk or do you only stick and look at what the legal arguments are?"
Hon. John Briceno- PUP leader
"Respectfully I think that's...I don't agree with him. I don't want to be disrespectful to the Foreign Minister because yes there is litigation risk like in everything but what risk? At most, I believe that we are not going to lose any land. I really believe that. So, I don't agree with the Foreign Minister when he says that. I believe that the British may have either a legal or moral obligation to live up to their commitment and a financial commitment. So, at most I see that a financial commitment may come about but that is something that the British should have to pay not us Belize."
Reporter
"The British is not a factor anymore."
Hon. John Briceno
"It is. They don't resolve themselves by saying, 'Oh, it's your problem.' They are the ones that caused that problem. But yes, we as a nation have to do everything possible to be able to find a solution to this unfounded claim by Guatemala which we do not support for a minute. But if there is anybody that should be held responsible it is the British."
Email
Print