Said Musa served 8 terms in the House of Representatives, but today he made history when he bucked his party on the Belize Territorial Referendum Bill - and earned a standing ovation from the other side of the house - including his most scathing critics, Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his Deputy Patrick Faber.
The cheered Musa's bold presentation on why he supports the UDP bill but must abstain to hold the party line. He started out a 20 minute presentation by discussing the differences on the bill, but ended by asking how to move forward:..
Rt. Hon. Said Musa - PUP, Fort George, Former PM
"So Madam Speaker the question today is, whether this new referendum bill does pass muster, to use the language of lawyers. Whether it's in order for the referendum to take place. I would say this, the whole process may not be perfect in the political sense and we have been very critical about that. For instance, why the rush? Why change the holding of the referendum date in class 5-4 of the bill from not less than 30 days after the writ of referendum has been issued to not less than 10 days. The Prime Minister owes us an explanation for this, why this rush. Like I said, the whole process, the whole education campaign has been abysmal and the government must accept responsibility for most of the flaws. Humility Madam Speaker for a leader is a great virtue - at the same time, we should not oppose for oppose sake (applause). And because the vital importance of moving ahead let not to use a famous George Price expression, let not the best be the enemy of the good. This bill will pass in any event, whether I vote no or whether I vote yes, but I thought I should make my position very clear on what I see as important on this day in considering this referendum bill. The bill will have the majority in the house and pass and will go to referendum, but on this bill Madam Speaker, I am signalling now, that I will not defy my party line, so I will abstain on this bill (applause). But, when that time comes and it's coming soon, to vote on whether to go to the ICJ, my position is publicly known by now, I will vote yes."
"Finally Madam Speaker, I will vote yes because I am convinced after years of bring engaged with this matter, after reviewing historical facts, after reading all the legal opinions of learned international jurists who have studied the matter. After reading the cases decided by the ICJ and the paramount importance it gives to boundary treaties, I am convinced that Belize has a very strong case to protect and preserve our territory intact - that Guatemala's case is indeed unfounded and without merit and that if the matter goes to the international court, the ICJ will so find."
"Let us move forward, let the Belizean people decide, that is the important issue here. The Belizean people, that has always been the PUP position and I understand it to be the UDP position as well. (applause). Let us respect the majority decision of the people's vote in the referendum, let us respect the vote - whether it goes yes or no. The people must decide. Vox populi, Vox dei, the voice of the people, is the voice of god. (applause)."
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