One final topic that the press questioned Faber on is the ICJ public education campaign. In a little over 6 months from now, Belizeans will be called upon to decided whether or not they agree to send Guatemala's territorial claim over our country to the International Court of Justice for adjudication.
The media wondered what he as the Area Representative for the Collet Division is doing to educate his constituents on this very important issue, and here's what he had to say:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"Many of my colleagues are now at the point. I see that Minister Tracy Panton in Albert has invited the education campaign of the government in to speak to their constituents. It is also my wish to do that, to convene a gathering in the Collet constituency where we will invite those from the education campaign on both sides, because as I've mentioned in cabinet it is not sufficient for the education campaign putting forward the points of a yes vote. You have to expose people why those persons who are saying no are saying so. My personal view and my observation so far, those who say no are very, very emotional. It is based on a lot of happenings, the Sarstoon Island issue and the Danny Connorquie issue. These are the kind of issues that those who are saying no stir up. But it is not based on facts much of the times. I implore Belizeans to listen to all side of the argument. My personal position is that we should go to the ICJ. I would support a yes vote. My constituency might see things in a different way. I am willing to listen to them and where it comes to the point that I have to make a pronouncement or put forward a position on behalf of the people of Collet, I will do what it is the people of Collet want me to do when I get that determined. But when it comes down to me going into the voting area to cast a ballot, I am telling you that I will vote yes and it is the government's position. It is the government position that we should advocate for a yes vote and my personal position is there because I've look at the facts, I continue to try to learn. It is a lot of information to learn about. I encourage folks to read Assad Shoman's new book. I am in the middle of that book and the amount of information about the history of all of this - it is the kind of information that the Belizean population needs to hear."
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