He's having a press conference, but not the usual kind. The PM has set up a kind of ICJ Kumbaya where present and past PUP and UDP Foreign Ministers will all declare their support for a Yes to the ICJ.

But the PUP has this evening thrown a serious curve ball to derail that unity effort. The party sent out a release distancing itself and throwing shade at its own Foreign Ministers who join the effort.

Bowing to intense internal pressure, Briceno has sent out a statement saying, quote. "After several months of meeting and consulting with leaders and supporters of the People's United Party it is obvious that a majority of the Party's supporters are not in favour of submitting the unfounded claim by Guatemalan to Belizean territory to the ICJ for final adjudication for various reasons.

While I am soon to complete my listening tour, I am sufficiently convinced that an overwhelming majority of our Party members and supporters are going to say NO and as the leader of a mass party, that makes decisions in a democratic way, I have an obligation to accept the views of the majority. I am certain that in the final analysis our Party will say NO to the ICJ." End quote.

He then addresses the tomorrow's PUDP endorsement of the ICJ by saying, "I am made to understand that some previous Foreign Ministers who served under different PUP administrations will be signing a document, along with the Government of Belize, that will be advocating - yes to the ICJ. I want to make it abundantly clear that these persons do not speak for the People's United Party on this issue." End quote.