During the heated debate on the motion, the UDP's Michael Peyrefitte strongly resisted it and asked the Leader of Government Business to pull it back and allow Belizean voters to make this important decision.
That led to a testy back and forth between him and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Courtenay. Here's an excerpt of the back-and-forth:
Michael Peyrefitte - UDP Senator
"This issue affects our claim. This issue affects the matter we have before the ICJ, as we speak, for which there has been a memorial. There has been a counter-memorial. We anticipate a reply in December, and then, there's a rejoinder by June of next year. We are in the middle of this game, and you're coming to us, telling us now that you want to involve a third player in the ICJ unfounded Guatemalan against Belize? Belize must take action, enter into a treaty, and take action against a third country that has given no official indication that it is interested in interfering in this case. If they were going to do it, they would have done it already. Members of this Senate do not vote to pass this motion. Let the Belizean people have their say as to whether or not we want to involve another country with which we have no quarrel. Honduras would need another year to respond to Guatemala's memorial and to our counter-memorial. They would need at least another year or two to respond to their reply, and if when we put in our rejoinder. This, ladies and gentlemen will delay the ICJ decision on this matter for another - at least - 3 to 4 years."
Kevin Herrera - Business Senator
"It's something that has been before us for over a hundred years or more, in fact. We grew up with this issue, Madam President. It's something that has always plagued us, but I think there's an opportunity for us right now to finally resolve it. We wouldn't want to have any issues hanging out there that would prevent a definitive resolution to this claim. So, I think it is the responsibility of the government to bring all the pieces together, those that were not put in the initial claim, to bring those together. So that when the justices rule on this issue, we could have something definitive, clear, and something that we can go forward with. I don't think that if we have something hanging out there, that will be possible. So, from all the information that I've seen, from all literature that I've read about it, and from all the advice we've seen, this seems to be the route that is most advisable. So, I support the motion."
Janelle Chanona - NGO Senator
"I think it was a missed opportunity before the first vote to also call out such a critical aspect of what we're dealing [it]. As Senator Herrera has
just called out, it is a matter that we want a definitive and decisive resolution to the Belize/Guatemala issue, to Guatemala's claim over Belize. I don't think, as we have been advised, that we want to end this matter before the court only to have to back to address the Honduran claim. My question, then, on behalf of those I represent, is why didn't we take the opportunity during that - as we now know - very expensive campaign effort to make sure that this was addressed to the Belizean people?"
Bishop Alvin Benguche - Church Senator
"Was there something there before that perhaps should have been followed up [on] at that time? And why is it now that, at this point in time, this present government has to take up the issue? I believe, Madam President, that I can stand here and support the motion based on the fact that I have heard. I have done enough research in the past, and I stand here as the Church Representative to support what is before us."
Luis Luke Martinez - Interim Labour Senator
"We shouldn't be coming to this Honorable Senate, Madam President, to be asking questions. The National Trade Union Congress has a one-line scratch record. And that is meaningful consultation, timely consultation."
Eamon Courtenay - Leader of Government Business
"Senator Chanona asked the question, why was the Honduras issue not featured prominently during the campaign for the referendum? It was echoed by Senator Martinez and Senator Benguche. The only person in this chamber who has an obligation and a duty to answer that question is the Honorable Senator Michael Peyrefitte, who championed the referendum, championed a 'yes' vote, and presented to the Belizean people an argument - you all remember this? 'Ironclad.' Do you remember this? 'Slam dunk.'"
