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Well, today those referendum rebels took it one step further by finding common cause with others who oppose the ICJ - including, even, a political rival. That would be Wil Maheia, the lead organizer of the Peace Movement - who invited his political rival, the PUP's Mike Espat to the table. Espat heads the southern caucus. Will Maheia - who has run against him as an independent said he welcomes the area Rep who he campaigned to unseat:

Wil Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"The Belize Peace Movement is actually a movement with Belizeans who are opposed going to the ICJ and Belizeans from across the country. It's not a political movement. It's a movement of Belizeans who are concerned about the way this country is going right now."

"I want to thank the PUP members of parliament that showed up today. I mean, they didn't have to show up, but they showed up because they know that we are about not going to the ICJ and they know the hardships that we are facing as we try and educate the people about why we should not go to the ICJ."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"What is your business here today?"

Hon. Mike Espat, Chairman - PUP Southern Caucus
"Well I was just invited here as a guest to observed and listen to what other people are saying. I've already made my decision and where I am going."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But your decision is at odds with your party leader's decision."

Hon. Mike Espat, Chairman - PUP Southern Caucus
"He is still making up his mind Jules to decide what he wants to do."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Last he spoke, it seems that his mind was made up. But one has the sense Mr. Espat that you all are here not with the blessing of your party leader."

Hon. Mike Espat
"That's not true. That's not true at all. I don't know where you get that information."

Hon. Julius Espat, PUP Cayo South
"We believe that we live in a democratic country and we believe as elected representatives, we have a right to be able to sit and speak to any other groups that have similar opinion. So we are exercising that right."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is it a matter of concern to you that your own party leader from what he told us in the last interview, seemed disposed to support the ICJ and we know that Stuart Leslie is his advisory in chief and he is the ICJ man."

Hon. Julius Espat
"Well those are two people you have spoken to, out of 65,000 people that support the People's United Party. So I think you have to be careful when you say that. The party leader has a right to his personal opinion. But the party also has a right to the party's position which is made up of a majority vote. So let's call the vote and see what's the party's position."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"It is expected that certainly your party leader expects it that you will do as the party's position says."

Hon. Julius Espat
"My position has always been I am representing the people of Cayo South and I have consulted with the people of Cayo South. I've been back and forth village to village and overwhelming the people of Cayo South they stand for a NO vote."

And while these PUP Reps are forging out with their own position - pretty much independent of their party - we pressed on the issue of what it really means for party loyalty.

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But Mike shouldnt you follow your leader, at least as one of...."

Hon. Mike Espat, Chairman - PUP Southern Caucus
"I am older than you. U should advised him and I have advised him. So nothing is wrong with that. He either accept it or not accept it. This is nothing new to me and you know the control system we live in. That is why you keep pushing the needle, because we live in a control political system, which is bad, which is wrong. But we continue to clap and say halleluiah."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"I heard that at a parliamentary caucus meeting a short while ago, you all were cautioned. This is just what I heard. I am not in the caucus, but I heard that you all were cautioned by a senior loyalist to Mr. Briceno to stop having this type of meetings outside the context of the strict definition of what is inter-familiar PUP."

Hon. Mike Espat
"They were not compelled to say yes. Nobody."

Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West
"I think it's important that we put some corrections to this matter. The party met and we had extensive discussions. Coming out of our national executive meeting the decision was made that we are going to vote our conscience. I think it is important that we lay that on the table, because the party leader has gone on record to say that we are all entitled to our own individual positions and we are making that out. As leaders we need to speak to other leaders in this country who I believe shares common interest, common issues and I think that is what we are doing today."

Hon. Landy Habet, PUP Cayo Northeast
"Our party has recently met. We had our party council meeting. This was not tabled. So we are not restricted in any way or form and as the Honorable mentioned, at a former meeting of the executive, it was decided that we will vote our conscience."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Unlike these gentlemen who have won minimum 1 election, I would think that we should be in there towing the line immediately following your leader. Just my interpretation of the situation. Explain to me why you are out here with these rogue gentlemen? I'm teasing. They are not rogue. These guys are on a unique mission, a rebellious one perhaps."

Dr. Luis Zabaneh, PUP Standard Bearer - Dangriga
"Let me first say, our party leader was informed that we will be at this meeting and more power to him. I think that the position that the party has taken which is that we vote our conscience, I think ought to be applauded and I think our party leader has shown to the country that he has these qualities where he respects other people who have different views."

Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West
"I don't want the media to go and get the wrong impression here that there is a wedge between us and our party leader. I think we have agreed that we are allowed to take our individual positions. In fact the party has already established a committee of opponents of yes and no."

So, looking beyond their own party - it was an interesting group gathered today. While we can safely say we didn't see one UDP loyalist or sympathizer in the mix, it was still a study in contrasts:...

Hon. Julius Espat
"I think that's incredible that we can have different organizations. The most incredible one is Mike. He has one of his political opponents here agreeing on something. That's incredible for Belize."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Wil Maheia has opposed you in 2 elections and he has opposed you in every way he can, but you all are here at the same table agreeing on the same issue and you are not known as the most aggregable person. How did we get to this point?"

Hon. Mike Espat
"Ask Wil. He was my student. Wil will answer that question better than I could."

Wil Maheia
"At the end of the day like I say, he is a politician, I'm considered a politician. But at the end of the day we are Belizeans and I think that I have to really respect the Honorable Mike Espat for coming to the meeting and thanking him for coming to the meeting, because he has put country above party and that's kind of a rear thing, for these hardcore politicians to put party about country. Right now we are putting country above everything and everybody that you see here today, we have different political views, but Belize is first and foremost for us."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"He is a one issue politician. That issue is the Sarstoon/Guatemalans and now you are agreeing with him on his one issue."

Hon. Mike Espat
"I can't argue with Wil with his approach. That's his approach. It may not be the right approach. It might be a very dangerous approach, but that's his approach."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"But in this cause, this discussion today, you all have some common ground?"

Hon. Mike Espat
"We came here to listen."

Dr. Luis Zabaneh
"I feel that this is very position that we are able to come together with other groups and hear their positions. I was very pleased to be invited here, because I learnt a lot. For example, Dickie Bradley was here and he shared his ideas. Brother Wil, all the others who were here shared their thoughts. So it is giving me as someone who always seeks to get knowledge and information, a clearer understanding of what the NO position is and it has strengthen my position with respect to NO to the ICJ."

The Peace Movement has not announced what it plans to do next - and today's meeting seemed to be little more than a talk shop, with some of Belize's best known discussants, which lasted for about two and a half hours.