But that was the only clear statement on the way forward we could get out of that press conference at the BSCFA headquarters. Other than that, it was a lot of hard talk and government blaming for the protracted commercial dispute:
Alfredo Ortega, BSCFA
"There has been 3 years since we have been negotiating this. We went through different phases. We also had last year the mediation and nothing came out of that. We have been giving the government now to stand up and make something that will be beneficial for the industry."
"That is why we have been giving them this opportunity to really negotiate something that will be beneficial to the industry. And that is why we are here. We have asked the support so that the Prime Minister see that we are not playing, we are not playing jokes."
"We are looking forward to something be clarified and something being done for the benefit of our farmers."
"Marisol, that is why we are here. We don't want to be violent. We are here doing this protest very peacefully."
"We are respectful to our security forces. We are respectful to the government, but nevertheless even with the respect we have to them."
So, as it stands this meeting another round of meetings is underway with the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. And Chairman Fred Ortega is quoted as telling the farmers not to burn their cane because they will continue with their peaceful protest.
Prime Minister John Briceno - who has emerged as the point man on the negotiation - he is quoted by KREM News as saying "I have been trying to find an end to this impasse since the 24th and have made many proposals but we can't seem to get thru to them. Unfortunately I can't instruct BSI nor can I instruct BSCFA."
