Media practitioners to vote YES on the ICJ referendum

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The media in Belize can arguably be described as opinion creators in our society and with the upcoming ICJ referendum coming up they are playing a critical role in helping people formulate either a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote. They are the ones who are front and center in the information circuit, most recently having some of them take various trips including to the Hague to get a clearer understanding of how the ICJ works. Then, they are also the ones to give us snap shots of what the public sentiment is on the issue. But what is it that they will do when voting time comes around? In an effort to get an idea of what they will do, on Wednesday January 30th we at the Guardian Newspaper undertook to contact our media colleagues via Whatsapp and ask them how they will vote in the upcoming ICJ referendum.

We reached out to 20 of our colleagues with the following question: “I have a question for you. How will you vote on the ICJ issue and why?” Of the 20 persons we asked, we did not get a reply from 6 of them. The following are the answers from those who replied:

Respondent # 1

In Johnny’s words “I don’t think that is none of your business” lol. But between you and me, I’ll vote yes. I’ve listened to the facts and I am convinced that it’s time to go and that we have a strong case. That’s the short version. Too tired to type a whole pile of R#$@ right now.

Respondent #2

I’m still undecided. Why because after listening to presentations on both sides, I feel that valid points are made, especially after the discussions on Wave.

Respondent #3

I’m voting yes. I am of the firm belief that the 1859 treaty is very much valid and will be the primary document that the court will look at in the case.  I am also of the belief that if we do not take it to court and have the court implement a provision to stop the incursions, it will only get worse until our resources are massively deteriorated and relations become most hostile between both nations.

Respondent #4

Me a yes. I need that r#@$ to end. My children no deserve to deal with this s#!^ when they are my age.

Respondent #5

Haven’t decided yet. May not do so till April.

Respondent #6

Yes. Because I am ready to settle this dispute now. The border is to Belize what a man is to a woman in a common law union. Yeah we know Belize is ours but we want to make it official.

Respondent #7

Me?? Don’t know yet…. Say I will go do my own in depth research and make my decision from there.

Respondent #8

I am voting Yes. And the reason is because from all the information/evidence that I have come to learn/know, to settle the issue now is the most logical thing to do. Up to 3 months ago I was “No” too, but my trips to the Hague, Mexico and Guatemala exposed me to legal experts who answered our questions satisfactorily for me, some on record, others off… it’s really unfortunate that we are not going to take advantage of this golden opportunity because the opponents far outnumber the proponents. I tell them who the heck will have any pity on us after April 10, if Guatemala really puts the pressure on and becomes more aggressive? We will have no one in our corner then we will have to learn what independence really is, that is what they are doing to all of us, the opponents, we will have to face this together

Respondent #9

I’ve been a no vote for quite some time, even before Guatemala’s referendum, and my reasoning isn’t as educated as most others who don’t want to go, for example, because of the Compromis. It was more of, that if we do go to the ICJ it’s like we are agreeing that “hey maybe Guatemala has a point” and I just didn’t see the sense in that. However I can see the reasoning behind a yes vote. That this is really the only way the problem might be settled, and we’ve endured bullying from Guatemala for too long. So while I would still vote no, if it happens that the majority vote is yes, I am pretty confident that we’d win at the ICJ. Long answer and sort of confusing answer, sorry.

Respondent #10

Yes. All the research I’ve done on this topic indicates that this is the best opportunity to resolve this claim. I’m choosing to believe our Belizean intellectuals that say that the ICJ is the best opportunity.

Respondent #11

Personally, I am in favor of going to the ICJ. I believe I am sufficiently aware of the history of the claim, as well as the positions that are being taken on both sides of the argument. As a parent with two kids, I was born three days after Independence Day, 1981 and all my life I have been hearing “Belice es nuestro”. There’s an opportunity now to bring finality to the territorial dispute so that my children won’t have to have the same unfounded claim hanging over their heads.

Respondent #12

Yes. It is time for it to be resolved and we have a solid opportunity now. While I don’t believe I’ve heard a strong response as to how that decision will be enforced if we go the ICJ route, I think if we don’t go now there won’t be any other real opportunity in the foreseeable future to try and settle this issue. Equally, I certainly wouldn’t want to see this “burden” passed on to another generation of Belizeans.

Respondent #13

Yes. We cannot afford for their claim to carry on and just leave it to be. And we certainly can’t fight them should it get to that. A decision by the ICJ will be legally binding. Should they falter on the decision, they’ll have to answer. They have no sound claim so I don’t see how they can win. I don’t think that they themselves think they have a case.

Oh. We’ve also exhausted pretty much all other possible ways to resolve the matter.

Respondent #14

Yes. We cannot manage a No vote. If we vote no the Guatemalans would have a moral victory over us. The world will turn their backs on us.

Respondent #15

Undecided. Still have not made up my mind.