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12 days ago, the opposition presented its "People's Declaration", and on Saturday, that was adopted by the National Party Council. It happened at the SCA Multipurpose center, and here's what leader John Briceno said in presenting it:...

John Briceno- Leader of the PUP
"You told me that you do not like what the Foreign Minister was saying to the Belizean people. You told me you wanted to see Belize, you wanted to see Guatemala respect our rights at the Sarstoon. And you told me that until these concerns are addressed then we say no to the ICJ. [applause]. So today we have a declaration that was of the people, by the people and for the people. This is your declaration, and this is your way of letting everybody know that you are the true owners of the People's United Party. [applause]. I heard a number of you talking about that. We have to go in to the communities and share the people's declaration. Standard bearers, local executives, we have to go and give that out from house to house. Let's explain it to our people what this declaration is saying, so that on April 10th our people are going to come out and we are going to say no to the ICJ ladies and gentlemen. [applause].

"We had a few questions or clarifications but generally it was supported by all 31 constituencies."

Reporter
"You said this morning that we need to ensure a no vote since that is the position that the party has taken. To do that there must be campaigning. Will there be campaign financing for that purpose?"

John Briceno
"Well I think that is an internal matter for the party to discuss. And I leave it as that. What we are doing is that everybody needs to go on the streets, we need to have organized meetings."

Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Sir, just building on something Marisol asked earlier, we know the practical dimensions of politics. The masses of the people need to be mobilized for a vote. We cannot expect that every election the mass parties mobilize and then just because of a referendum people will say, 'No bwai, I am going out on my own good will. You don't have to come for me you don't have to help me with my lunch, I got it.' No sir, that will not happen. Your voters will be waiting for you saying, I need to get mobilization considerations. Where will the money come from?"

John Briceno
"As I've said, and I think I've told you this privately, that money alone does not win an election. It is about getting the people worked up and getting them energized about whatever position the party is taking. If we have to find ways to make it easier to come out and vote of course we will do that. Of course, we will find ways."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to say, 'You forced my hand, I am naturally a yes, the party is a no, alright I heard you. I am a representative of this party, but you forced my hand. So, now you are forcing my hand in my pocket.' In terms of, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to say, 'You all want a no, we must find a way to fund it. Don't look to the party leader. Because we know that the party is starving and everybody looks to Mr. Briceño, help me out.'"

John Briceno
"That's your editorial piece, right?"

Jules Vasquez
"Yes, sir."

John Briceno
"Okay."

Jules Vasquez
"It is based on my experience."

John Briceno
"I can't answer you, that's your view. That's fine by you. I know that as a responsible leader, I have always worked to try to ensure that we can have everything that we need to be able to carry out the wishes of the people of this party."

Jules Vasquez
"Will the people be able to respond with a mass campaign? UDP has adds on TV, they have a non-government organization that is working for a yes, they have the government itself. How will the PUP counter this multifarious attack?"

John Briceno
"Of course, we always have ways and means to do that. We heard the national campaign manager starting to roll out his plan as to how we are going to work to get the no. We heard from the communications director who met with her team this week, I think it was on Thursday. Again, they are working on a plan for the banners and the Facebook and the TV adds, and the radio adds, all of this is coming into play. Just like the UDP crank up, we are cranking up today."

Jules Vasquez
"Will you work with Belize Peace Movement and other grassroots organizations?"

John Briceno
"Well, they will work with us if they wish. If they wish."

Jules Vasquez
"UDP is unanimously yes, PUP, you just said, is unanimously no. So, what are the political stakes for you if there is a yes vote? You can't afford to lose a next election. The PUP are on a losing streak of 16 years."

John Briceno
"I believe that wherever I've been going that the people are resoundingly saying no. People within my party, people outside of my party. But if at the end of the day the people come and decide that they are going to vote yes, then we have to respect the will of the people. I don't see that as a victory for the PUP. It will be a decision of the people of this country. And it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, the faith of the UDP is sealed. The people are tired of this party."

Reporter
"You are saying that this is a matter for Belize, it is a Belize issue. So, if the no wins, the PUP won't be heard saying the UDP must go, because you lost this referendum."

John Briceno
"What we are saying is that the UDP must go from now. They need to go now."

Reporter
"Sir, is it regrettable that the consultations have led to the stance of a no vote. You are a yes vote. Is it regrettable now that the consultations have led to the party choosing a no stance."

John Briceno
"Well, I wish that we could have come together to work together with the government to be able to inform the people and give an unbiased and well-resourced and well informed education campaign. So, that I am after that. So, whatever decision that the people do or take, then we would feel that we would have done our jobs. But as it is right now, the government, they have turned this into a political football. They have made it political, they are staking their political fortunes on getting a yes vote on the 10th of April. We are not staking that way. We are fighting for Belize."