Posted on 01/19/2005 6:27:08 PM PST by GalvestonGal.com
Chamber plans next anti-tax move... If you listened to rumours on the street you would think that by Thursday or Friday all life in Belize will come to a halt. But while citizens anxiously wait to see if the water, light and telephone service will be halted by angry utility workers, the unions and others opposed to new tax increases are officially taking their time to formulate a plan of action. Earlier this evening, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an emergency meeting with its membership to decide on their way forward in response to the budget presented last Friday. This morning, President of the BCCI, Arturo Vasquez, explained his organisation's approach to Belize's new financial reality.
Arturo Vasquez, President, Belize Chamber of Commerce “We have looked at some of the more critical areas like the taxation, particularly we listened to the Prime Minister’s speech where he discussed or he mentioned that maybe these taxes should not be passed onto the consumer. I think this is a comment that needs correction. Most of these taxes that do affect importation and cost of doing business has to be passed on; primarily I refer to the environmental tax that went up by two percent. That is a direct hit, on a cost of anything by around two percent added to consumer goods.”
“We need to put some sort of pressure on government to see if we can perhaps get them to consider--and not only to consider because I do believe that they consider reform—except to do some real, real immediate actions of making some of these reforms constitution. The point I want to make as well is that these reforms that we are asking for this exercise has been there is no need to do these exercise. This was done back in the year 2000 when there was the political reform commission to put all these things together. So we are really just asking for some of these things that we believe could affect the financial controls of the country’s finances.”
Janelle Chanona “Pressuring the Government, how do you intend to do that?”
Arturo Vasquez “That is one of the reasons why I am calling the membership together for us to get a full understanding of how we want to do it. There are several ways we could perhaps look at, maybe not paying the tax, which is something that we have considered before. But that certainly will not be one our first priorities. I believe because it could be legal as well because even though we are trying to pressure on, I think we need to put a responsible approach to all this. And where the business community is concerned, we need to be aware of a way forward. It could be maybe a sign of businesses not deciding to do business for a day or two. We are not sure. That of course cannot come from the executive, cannot come from me as the Chamber president. It has to come from the business community as a whole. So our purpose this evening is really to bring them up to date of what we have done so far; maybe highlight some of the main taxes that were increased because some people may have missed it. Then perhaps concluding the meeting by deciding what is the best way forward and that is something that the collective membership would have to decide on.”
There are approximately three hundred and fifty businesses listed as members of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry although it is not clear how many have actually paid their annual dues.
...as unions do likewise Meanwhile Belize's union representatives continued to hold their meetings today as they finalize their response to the budget. This afternoon, Public Service Union executive Hubert Enriquez told News 5 that following discussions in Belmopan last week, each union was mandated to come up with its own plan of action for this week. Meetings are set for tomorrow with the labour umbrella organisation, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, to coordinate those recommendations. While Enriquez would not identify specific plans being explored by the union movement, it is understood that a go slow, work to rule has already been instituted for public officers, while plans are being finalized for more serious industrial action. News 5 also understands that there are demonstrations planned for Friday's budget debate in Belmopan. In related news, we erroneously reported on last night's newscast that the Senate would meet today to pass the new tax bills. In fact no date has yet been set for Senate ratification and it is unclear exactly when the new tax measures will go into effect. On Wednesday in Belmopan the Senate Select Committee to investigate the Social Security Board will meet and it is understood that general manager Narda Garcia will be among those called to testify.
Hopefully the citizens will make their point that cronism and corruption has affected our bright future. Belize is booming and the Government has been just jaw dropping bold with it's theft and mis-management of public funds. Government is getting big houses and Hummers, and whose only solution is to raise all taxes.
My dog in this fight, since I'm not a citizen, is to be someone who publishes this news on a national forum. You know I'm a founding member of the "truth squad". Just give me the truth, jeez. How about Honest and Truthful?
This should be interesting to see if it works. Nobody is going to be that inconvenieced, one (two) more holiday, but the Rum + Discontent + gangs of roving youths equation is being noted.
The strikers aren't fooling. The first blackout just happened.Electricity off about 20 minutes.
Corruption on "Paradise Island?" I loved Belize on my honeymoon and wish to visit again someday. I never knew the country was big in hiding assets, It said so right in the tour guide! Great fishing and snorkeling too!
Bump back to the top. If you don't mind, ping me when you get more news. I've been to Belize 5 times and have close friend there. They've complained about government corruption and mismanagement for the past 5+ years.
Thanks. We first were inland cruising the rainforest and Mayan temples. Then flew out to Ambergris Caye. The country speaks English, very friendly and the currency easy to covert from US$
It's morning and we have electricity, but no water.
TV Channel 5 has updated transcript from last night's news show:
Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Creole, however, we attempt to paraphrase the quotes in English, while preserving some of the Creole flavour.
Unions call for 2 day strike
The nation's unions have finally decided on a response to Government's new tax measures: their answer? A two-day strike that is intended to bring a halt to central government operations, close the schools and curtail access to water, electricity and telecom services. At the same time, Belize's two main private sector organisations have called on business houses to close their doors, also on Thursday and Friday. This afternoon general secretary of the National Trade Union Congress, George Frazer, and Teacher's Union president Anthony Fuentes, visited our studios to explain their intentions.
George Frazer, General Secretary, N.T.U.C.B.
"Well we have agreed that we will have a total shutdown tomorrow, Thursday and on Friday.”
Stewart Krohn
"What do you mean by a total shutdown?”
George Frazer
"We will through our various unions effect measures, industrial action that we feel will bring about the attention of Government and we are asking the support and the understanding of the public for example the teacher’s union we are asking for all the teachers to come out to support our action.”
Stewart Krohn
"Primary School, secondary and tertiary?”
George Frazer
"Primary school, secondary, tertiary the U.B. students; the faculty and staff. They are all with us. We held a meeting yesterday with general managers of the Primary Schools and they were also a couple representatives form high schools and they’re all on board because the measures are national issues and also closer to home with the teacher’s union and the public service, our third payment of the third year salary increase.”
Stewart Krohn
"Okay, let’s go on to the unions. Public officers in general, not showing up for work Thursday and Friday.”
George Frazer
"Well that is our understanding. That’s the plan.”
Stewart Krohn
"Essential services, fire, immigration and things like that. They show up or they don’t show up?”
George Frazer
"Well we know some of the essential services like health, fire, security forces. We don’t want to jeopardize the best interest of Belize and our Belizean people. So they know that in the first instance, we would like for them to be on standby and the other services are not as essential. So yes, we expect all the other services to come on board and support the action.”
Stewart Krohn
APrivate companies: water, electricity, telephone. What’s happening with those unions?”
George Frazer
"Those unions have also indicated that they will affect the necessary measures. There could be some blackouts and also cutting in water.”
Stewart Krohn
"When you say affect the necessary measures, you are asking those workers to cause blackout, to cause water shortage and to cause phone blackout service or you are telling them not to show up for work. What’s the position?”
George Frazer
"Well they know what they are to do and could include all of the above.”
Stewart Krohn
"Other unions that make up the NTUCB that works for Ports and other private...”
George Frazer
"Christian Workers Union, the Belize Workers Union.”
Stewart Krohn
"Sugar workers; how about them?”
George Frazer
"They are all on board and they have already agreed on the measures they are going to take to shutdown.
Anthony Fuentes, President, B.N.T.U.
"As a union we have made it abundantly clear to all our educators in this country that there will be a total shutdown of all the schools on Thursday and Friday. So we are advising parents not to send their children to school on Thursday and Friday.”
George Frazer
"We had a meeting this morning with the minister of education. He requested a meeting with us and we explained our position. He said he understood our position and that he would not try to get in the way to pressure our course not to follow through. And he also indicated that he would not be in favour of taking away any monies from our people. Our branches have reported because most, if not all, of our branches held meetings over the past two days and they have indicated, many of them, that we ware willing to give back those days whether it’s a Saturday or some other for the students. Our interest is not to harm students or their parents but to focus on the weaknesses in the system, the abuses which will affect them.”
"The issues right now are national and down the line if we don’t take the necessary measures and sacrifices; it could be a long, hard summer for everybody.”
Stewart Krohn
"Let me cut to the chase here. Come Monday, let’s say your strike succeeds beyond its wildest dreams, hundred percent no show for teachers, public officers, all you union workers. What’s the next step? What are you trying to achieve by this industrial action?”
George Frazer
"We want to send a clear message to Government, Prime Minister and others. We have made some recommendations to them. We are prepared to work along with any Government and to try in the best interest of Belize to see where we can close the gaps. But first, we have to also close those loopholes and those areas where abuses have come.”
Anthony Fuentes, President, B.N.T.U.
"The national Trade Union Congress of Belize has written to the Prime Minister informing him that we want reform in our system. We are also saying that there are a lot of monies out there that the Government needs to collect. And we are saying that they need to collect these monies. There is no need for the Government of the day to tax the Belizean people and that’s the reason why as a responsible organisation we made recommendations to the Government. We met with them at Central Bank, we presented recommendations to them. They mentioned to us that they will look at our recommendation and then try to implement the recommendation that we suggested to them because it was coming from both the Chamber and the Trade Unions.”
P.S.U. says essential services will function
With government employees being asked to stay off the job over the next two days the question arises of what about essential services like police, fire and medical care. According to Public Service Union president Dylan Reneau, there is no reason for citizens to worry.
Dylan Reneau, President, P.S.U.
"Being a responsible union we have tried to work an agreement on how we will deal with that situation and we certainly will not shutdown any hospitals or any essential services. What we want to have is a token or a skeleton staff there to ensure that the services carry on. But still we want some of the members of those organisations to be out there to show a united front.”
Stewart Krohn
"Let's say air traffic controllers; they will be working? Planes will still land?”
Dylan Reneau
"Yes, they will be working.”
Stewart Krohn
"Immigration officers at the airport and border points?”
Dylan Reneau
"Yes, a token staff.”
Stewart Krohn
"What are you looking to gain from this exercise?”
Dylan Reneau
"Well, we are trying to get the Government to understand that we want the reforms that we=ve been asking for to be implemented. The fact that we can=t accept any more taxes--the way how the system is set up appears as if though only the poor and the working people who are paying majority of the taxes. We want this tax resume to be more balanced where everybody in this country has to bear that burden. Basically, at the end of the day, we also have an issue where we are trying to get our collective agreement dealt with; get the last salary increase.”
Stewart Krohn
"It has been alleged by some that what you=re really interested in most is getting your salary and the taxes are really just a smokescreen. What=s the highest priority for union?”
Dylan Reneau
"The priority are basically as the we set it out right now. Reform, we want the system to be changed. I drew the illustration this morning on Love FM that in 1994 we were in this situation. Only the Public Service Union faced the full grant of those corrective measures. Now we are here in 2004/2005 in a similar situation, but even worst; magnified is occurring now. So they must be something wrong with our system and we have to get rid of the mismanagement and the corruption and our reforms as they were put out there will address this issue. And I think that the politicians don=t necessary want to let go of that power because some of those reforms were basically streamlined and developed check and balances to these ministers who have now become somewhat of a demagogue in our society.”
Members of eight unions affiliated with the N.T.U.C.B. have been asked to participate in a demonstration at Friday's meeting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan. On Thursday, the B.N.T.U. is asking all teachers from the Belize District to take part in a protest march scheduled for eight thirty in the morning at Memorial Park in Belize City.
Business groups will also close shop
For their part, Belize's two main private sector groups have asked their members to close their doors on Thursday and Friday. It is not clear how many businesses will comply with the request but a check around Belize City indicates that a significant number will remain open. We are assured by a spokesman for the Chamber of Commerce that those proprietors choosing to close their doors will still pay their employees their full salaries for the two days.
P.M. says strike is politically motivated
While the unions and business groups make their plans for Thursday and Friday where does Government stand? Today Prime Minister Said Musa, in a recorded address, castigated the Leader of Opposition as a "reckless politician careless of the harm he does to the Belizean people and to Belizean democracy." The protests, he claims, have little to do with economics.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“What we have here is clearly not a legitimate trade dispute or sector grievance, but a politically motivated attempt to profit from the situation, with reckless disregard for the damage done to our people and to our democracy. The UDP, which in its last term imposed itself on the people for three months more than is constitutionally the practice, is trying to bring down a popularly and democratically elected government three years before its constitutional term expires. This is all about a reckless thirst for power by a few political demagogues who have managed to manipulate a few leaders of legitimate and respected institutions whose members will, I am sure, not allow themselves to be so used."
On Friday the stage has now been set for possible confrontation as the Peoples United Party has called on all of its supporters to assemble in Belmopan at the meeting of the House of Representatives.
Here are the interviews from Belize Channel 7 on last night's newscast:
Belizeans Preparing for Nationwide Shutdown
The NTUCB calls it a peaceful revolution and tonight, it has Belizeans across the city making it with only a trickle of water. The outage which we are told is a product of maintenance work and not industrial action has affected mainly residences on the south side which are right now still without water, while there is low water pressure reported in some areas on the north side. But a full outage is still in the works and water unionists tell us that the best advice they can offer to city residents is that they should bathe and get their reservoirs full early tomorrow.
But that's only a small part of tomorrow's worries as schools and businesses will be shut down all in protest of the Musa administration's new tax measures. We'll have comment from the teacher's union leader in just a few minutes ago as our news team caught up with the NTUCB group at a special planning meeting that is going on right now. But, first.... today, the fear of shortages created a consumer panic across the city as shoppers thronged stores buying the kinds of supplies that typically would only be used in a hurricane. 7NEWS was on the streets for the disaster readiness shopping frenzy.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Today Belizeans were preparing for the worse.
Shopper #1,
"Preparing for this thing like it is a hurricane because without water and light, you can't eat and you can't bathe and you know women have to bathe."
Shopper #2,
"This reminds me of when they had Heads of Agreement when all the stores were broken up. I could remember because I got tear-gassed and I can remember about it. All the stores downtown, Orange Street, Albert Street, King Street, all the stores were broken up. It was a real riot and I can never forget about that."
It is not the Heads of Agreement or a natural disaster but today Belizeans were filling carts and reaching deep into their mid-week pockets to prepare for a mass shutdown of businesses. So what were people buying? We looked into the carts of frenzied shoppers at Publics Supermarket.
Shopper #1: I am stacking up on a little food because I need to feed my grandson. I don't worry about me but my grandson. I have some eggs and things, which I could use. Like for bread I bought my flour because I can knead and make my little fry cake. But I am telling you water is gone so I had to use a little milk pan to wash my underarm.
KS: What are you expecting to happen?
Shopper #1: I am expecting the worse to come and no better; the worse.
AN: Where is the money coming from to buy this?
Shopper #1: Well I had to go borrow a little money. This is money I borrowed to do some shopping because I am broke and I have to work tomorrow so this is like hurricane.
Shopper #3: The water is already cut off so I am just stacking up on supplies to last me the next few days because they say water going, light going, and phone going.
KS: What do you think will happen?
Shopper #3: I am really not sure man but I am just preparing.
KS: So what are you buying?
Shopper #3: Well just little groceries man, the basics.
Shopper #4: Well brown sugar and basic things.
KS: What are you expecting? Are you expecting for us to be blacked out from everything the next couple days?
Shopper #4: Yes.
KS: So how are you able to afford all this in the middle of the week?
Shopper #4: Well something has to happen. I have to get money from somewhere.
KS: So these are the necessities?
Shopper #4: That's right. You know you have like your noodles and macaroni and cheese…
KS: How long do you expect all of this to last you?
Shopper #5: Well I have some home left over from the Christmas holiday so this is just to add on to what I have.
KS: You are stocking up on candles.
Shopper #2: Yes, I am getting candles because I heard no light and you have to have light right.
KS: And then I see you have flour and…
Shopper #2: Flour and rice. These are the staple foods right and I could make fry cake and tortilla.
But tortillas is not the only concern of the people, today lines of cars cued up to fill up on gas as the frenzied mood of uncertainty possessed city dwellers as well as those living out of the city.
Driver,
"You need that for transport because I live up north and if I want to go out this weekend now is the only time I can buy gas."
The mass shutdown will be a mass inconvenience but for one driver it's worth it.
Driver,
"I'm glad people are taking a stand though. We need to take a stand as a whole country together. Me personally I think it is a good move so we just have to keep on praying and ask the Lord to guide us and guide our Ministers and thing. I believe this country really need prayers right now."
PM Musa Urges Calm...
And to try and allay the kind of panic that was evidence in the city today, at 12:30 the Prime Minister made a national address on the radio. He urged calm and promised to maintain a level of comfort for the populace even in the face of possible water and electricity outages. The PM also took a political swing at Opposition Leader Dean Barrow; here are remarks from both leaders.
Dean Barrow, Opposition Leader
"This budget then with unbelievable gall and faciness demands that we pay for the plunder of DFC and SSB, for Intelco and Mahogany Heights, for Los Lagos and Galleria Maya. This budget demands that we pay for all the scandals and the waste, the corruption and the rape of the past 6 years. But this budget is the last straw, the final insult, and the positive proof of the complete and absolute illegitimacy of this government. There is now not only a total lack of confidence in the current administration but a disgust and anger that is at boiling point. If there is one ounce of good sense remaining, if this administration can care even a wit for our devastated country, they will finally do the right thing, the decent thing, and the democratic thing. And so I implore them, do not let our nation become ungovernable. Do not let it slide into chaos. For all our sake and for all the Belizean people, go and go now."
Said Musa, Prime Minister
"It is unfortunate that the constitutional Leader of the Opposition has chosen to make a call to our peace loving people that can only be interpreted as a summons to civil unrest and lawlessness. We are faced with threats to interrupt our essential services and in particular our water supply. As a responsible government we will not stand idly by and allow our people to remain without that essential of life, water. We cannot allow our children, our mothers, our elderly, or any of our people to endure the real suffering that lack of water will entail. Rest assured that we will protect you and ensure that you have the water and electricity you need to continue to enjoy the basic comforts of life."
For the full text of the Prime Minister's message click here.
...While Unions Prepare for Peaceful Revolution
In his statement, the Prime Minister chided the unions for making the lives of Belizeans uncomfortable. But they are not hearing or having it. The unions have adopted a hardline in which they call this a peaceful revolution, where according to a statement, they, "hope for the best and prepare for the worst." Tomorrow the worst means that school will not be in session as teachers are going on an immediate strike.
This evening as the NTUCB leaders met to discuss strategy, Keith Swift got comment from the President of the BNTU, Anthony Fuentes.
Anthony Fuentes, BNTU President
"We were on the radio station this morning, LOVE FM, and we've made the call to all our teachers, from both pre-school up to the University of Belize, to be on a strike for two days which will be Thursday and Friday."
Keith Swift,
What do you expect these children to do for the next two days?
Anthony Fuentes,
"Well we have said over and over again that its time for us as educators of this country to stand for the rights of the Belizean people. And we made it clear that we will not stand up for any increased or new taxes."
Keith Swift,
We know the teachers won't be in school but I understand a demonstration is planned?
Anthony Fuentes,
"Yes a demonstration will be held in the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize City, and the Toledo District. Then on Friday, we have 10 branches of BNTU, so teachers from Stann Creek, Cayo, and Belmopan itself will be in Belmopan to demonstrate against the new increases in taxes."
Keith Swift,
The management council of the NTUCB is meeting right now. What is being discussed?
Anthony Fuentes,
"Well as a responsible organization we need to assess what is going on so far and assess any further plan of action that we might want to undertake."
No other union leader would comment on camera as they are still devising their strategy. A union official from Belize Water Services stressed that the service interruption this afternoon in some areas of the city was planned and approved by the City Council as part of regular maintenance. That official however warned that there may be interruptions tomorrow. And while BEL via press release has assured customers that they have a contingency plan in place, no official from your water company was available to do the same.
And Businesses Agree to 2-Day Shutdown
But the national shutdown they seem to be planning goes along with the Chamber's decision to shutdown tomorrow. Last night at the meeting, the chamber membership agreed to a two-day shutdown of their member businesses. After the meeting, Chamber President Arturo 'Tux' Vasquez explained to Keith Swift.
Arturo Vasquez, Chamber of Commerce President
"A resolution was passed for the closure of businesses. The initial resolution by the executive was really to have an agreement on whether they were prepared to close down as a means of making a stance or at least making a point."
Keith Swift,
What do you hope this will accomplish?
Arturo Vasquez,
"At this point I believe we've had a lot of discussions. I think government having read their budget on Friday and passed all 3 readings of the finance bills and made it law, perhaps closes the door to continue dialogue on that regard. We also think that the reforms that we have been requesting are being inadequately addressed as well. So from the point of view of the executive and certainly as President I think we have done our part. Now it comes to taking it to the membership now for first of all for them to agree that our position has been correct all along and if that is the case then what really is our way forward. That was the purpose of this meeting today. This meeting was to first of all update our members which I did in my presentation. The immediate reaction really was that people are disappointed with what occurred. So the main objective today was coming up with a resolution and a way forward. The resolution the Chamber had made, initially, was suggesting a shutdown. We don't want to address not paying any taxes at this point. We need to leave some further dialogue for later on. The recommendation was a one day shutdown. Interestingly as we presented this to the membership, nobody was satisfied with just one day, the majority was shouting for 2 or more. But I don't feel we need to get too irresponsible at this point. I think we need to address it little by little. So the resolution, to answer your question, is it's a two day shutdown for Thursday and Friday."
Joining the Chamber chorus, the Belize Business Bureau today called for a 3-day shutdown of businesses. The BBB noted that the increased environment and business taxes will burden Belizeans. The BBB has asked all their members to close tomorrow through to Saturday. The Chamber says that it has confirmed that 123 businesses will close down tomorrow, including 25 Chinese Grocers. Brodies will remain open meanwhile Atlantic and Scotia Banks along with Bowen and Bowen Limited have voiced support for the effort but they will not close.
The following is today's article in local Reporter. I needed to run some errands and I got into some traffic downtown because of rally and speeches.
No big problems so far, it is serious business to take this action and so far everyone is being calm and adult about it.
Belize news updates at http://www.belizenews.com
Shutdown! Commerce, Schools, Utilities in revolt
Thursday, 20 January 2005
The Belize private sector has decided to shut down all commercial operations today Thursday and tomorrow Friday, January 20-21 to demonstrate their strong disapproval of the government’s decision to ignore repeated calls for economic and political reform.
It is expected that most of the essential services including electricity power, water and telephones will join the start of a two-day protest.
Schools, including the University of Belize will take an enforced holiday as members heed the call of the Belize National Teachers Union and most public officers take some sort of industrial action, either ‘work to rule or go slow.’
The general membership of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry approved a resolution for a complete shutdown of business houses for two days at a special general meeting held on Tuesday, January 18 at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel.
The Chamber’s General Manager Kevin Herrera explained the decision was made “to put pressure” on the Musa government to heed its request to forego any new taxes until GOB has reformed its way of managing public finances.
This unprecedented measure was the private sector’s response to Prime Minister Musa’s new revenue measures, which were put through their first, second and third readings all on the same day during last Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives.
The Belize Business Bureau has also endorsed the protest, stating its opposition to new taxes and affirming that “this is the opportune time to enact political reform and anti-trust laws.”
The Chamber cautioned Musa as early as last November 8, in a letter that the business community would not countenance new taxes until the government put into effect a plan of financial reform. When the Chamber got no response from Musa, its executive met with representatives of the major unions of Belize on November 24.
After this meeting he received a joint communique from the Chamber and the Unions which stated flatly they would not agree to pay any new taxes or tax increases until certain reforms were implemented.
The letter was signed by Chamber President Arturo Vasquez and the General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, George Frazer.
They called on Musa to begin an investigation to determine whether there was any “wrongdoing” in what they described as “gross mismanagement of public finances” and to implement serious reforms to prevent such a situation from recurring.
The letter also called for constitutional amendments, as recommended by the Political Reform Commission of 2000.
These calls for more transparency and prudence in managing the public debt, better judgement in the awarding of government contracts, to make the office of the Auditor General truly independent, to discontinue the policy of arbitrary waivers of government fees (for the politically well-connected), to disclose and gazette all current and future government contracts in excess of $100,000 and to address the issue of abuse of constitutional rights. Musa responded with an official release that paid little more than lip service to the Chamber’s concerns and the country got its first preview of what was to come when he presented his draft budget during a consultation process at the Central Bank’s conference room in Belize City on January 3.
The Public Service Union, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Trade Union Congress have also expressed their displeasure at the new taxes, which will send the cost of living soaring. They organised a joint protest outside the National Assembly building when the 2005 budget was read. Herrera said if the Musa government does not respond favourably to the two-day shutdown, the Chamber may decide on follow-up action next week and keep up the pressure until the financial reforms are implemented.
The Chamber is especially concerned at the way interest payments to service public debt have grown from $60 million to more than a $100 million under the Musa administration. This year GOB will pay $220 million in principal and interest to service the public debt. “It is just too much!”, Herrera said.
The private sector is concerned at the way the government has privatised all the revenue-earning public assets into the hands of political cronies, while allowing the public sector to assume their debt by guaranteeing the many loans made by Intelco, D.F.C., Prosser-B.T.L., and so on.
The wave of national anger that has greeted the Musa budget has been gathering momentum long before last Friday.
The collapse of Intelco, which left the government holding millions of dollars in meaningless collateral, the failure of the D.F.C., brought on by the default of PUP creditors, the default of the I.C.C. under Jeffery Prosser to come up with the purchase money for B.T.L. while enjoying all the benefits of ownership and now Musa’s implied desire to make Belizeans pay for all this abuse reached boiling point last Friday.
Thanks for the updates, GG. Sounds like everything's still civil, though, and that's good.
Water and power about to be shut off again. Today a dump truck of sand was placed on the Haulover Creek bridge just north of us to stop traffic coming into the city.
Tomorrow an agreement has been made to have water off and on at certain times to make it easier on families. We're filling everything up again right now.
Power flickering, time to shut down.
This is from one of the papers - The Guardian. Biggest news for Freepers is that Prosser is represented by, ta - dah - LANNY DAVIS. Yes, THE Lanny Davis.
Article:
On Tuesday January 18, 2005, the Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) issued a press release outlining another insane plan involving Intelco, BTL, and the RBTT Merchant Bank. The release further made an unfounded claim with respect to proposed payments to the Social Security Board (SSB) for assets held by Intelco. Finally, it stated that it has committed to returning the original ‘B’ shares in BTL to the Public Services Union (PSU) and the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) in exchange for the previously issued ‘C’ shares. The release suggested that the unions have delayed the transfer of shares.
Incidentally, this release comes on the heels of legal action brought against the Board of Directors of BTL by a group of minority shareholders including the Unions. The Judge hearing the case had indicated that he intends to pursue the matter and had issued an investigation of the Board’s activities. His decision for Judicial Review would be based on this pending investigation. No doubt this release is intended, among other things, to pacify the minority shareholders.
The Presidents of both the PSU and the BNTU reported that on Friday they were invited to a meeting with the Government’s Legal Advisor, Gian Ghandi. Upon entering the venue, they discovered that Prosser’s legal representatives were also present. The Union Presidents then left the meeting, contending that it was highly unethical for Ghandi to convene a meeting between them to discuss the legal action brought on by the minority shareholders when the other party to the action was not present.
We have to reiterate that Intelco does not owe SSB any money. Furthermore, Intelco remains in receivership and Mr. Cedric Flowers is still the appointed receiver. Mr. Flowers has yet to make any public report or request offers for the purchase of Intelco’s assets and as far as we are informed, there is no change to his arrangement with respect to his position as receiver. Until we get official word from Mr. Flowers or until RBTT changes the arrangement, we remain convinced that these claims of repaying SSB are mere attempts at fooling Belizeans.
The ‘meat’ of the release deals with a proposed arrangement that Prosser and ICC intends to execute with RBTT and the Belize Telecom Limited, the local company set up by Prosser and ICC to purchase the BTL shares. The release stated that the Board of Directors had confirmed a decision to “purchase a Note and security interest from RBTT Merchant Bank of Trinidad and Tobago secured by the assets of Intelco”.
As we interpret this new proposal, Prosser proposes for Belize Telecom Limited to take over Intelco’s Note with the RBTT. He would then impose upon BTL to acquire the assets in question in exchange for a Note to be issued to Belize Telecom Limited. BTL would then pay Belize Telecom Limited as per the issued Note after which Belize Telecom Limited would use such proceeds to pay off the RBTT Note. After all, how can Prosser and ICC find funds to purchase the Note upfront when it cannot pay for the majority shares that would allow him to make such decisions on behalf of BTL?
Channel 7 News added another twist to this sad affair when it reported that the Government has turned over the former Carlisle shares to the RBTT as a good faith measure to indicate approval of Prosser’s latest proposal. Normally we would have called on the Government to rein in Prosser in such a mad move but this latest development exposed by Channel 7 News basically renders the Government an accomplice. This is very credible as we are aware that the Government desperately needs the US$59.7 owed by Prosser and is obviously hoping that RBTT may eventually provide Prosser with the funds he needs to finalize the Purchase Agreement.
This whole Prosser/ICC/BTL episode is totally ridiculous. The Government needs to void its arrangement with Prosser and recover the former Carlisle shares for the people of Belize. Prosser and ICC have attempted to commit BTL to one dubious financial arrangement after another, even though he only owns 26 percent of the company. If Prosser can use BTL’s revenues to try to solve his financial problems, the people of Belize can do the same. If RBTT is willing to provide financing for Prosser to pay for the BTL shares then surely the Government can accomplish the same on our behalf. The possibilities are endless.
We truly cannot comprehend why this Administration would continue to encourage these numerous mad escapades of Prosser. This man came here with a bad reputation and during his time here he has cemented that reputation. The only logical reason we can suggest for the Government’s unending accommodation of this man is that ‘pirates of a feather flock together’. If the Government will not rid us of the pirates who continue to rape us, we will eventually have to get rid of them by ourselves. That process may well have started already.
The general protest shutdown continued yesterday and today with the government school teachers staying out of the classrooms.
The big news today is the rumor of a bomb threat at the Tourist Village in downtown Belize City. This was about an hour ago. The news I have is "twice-removed". Someone I know is going to drive by there and see if it is true that cruise passengers are being taken back to their ships.
I will update if I have more news. Meanwhile I will keep this thread alive with reported news for folks who are interested.
GalvestonGal - now Belize Gial
"Another day of empty classrooms - from Channel 5
When we last checked in with members of the Belize National Teachers Union they were being dragged from the area in front of the National Assembly building following various acts of civil disobedience. Today, although no longer in Belmopan, they remained off the job. News 5's Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Despite the Minister of Education Francis Fonseca’s appeal for schools to be open on Monday and for teachers to report back to classes following the two day shut down on Thursday and Friday, most institutions in Belize City remain closed. While the Belize National Teachers Union made its decision known over the weekend, some high school and primary school students still reported to classes, only to be told that there would be no school. A minority of teachers came to school but did not stay. While our cameras were denied access to Edward P. Yorke High School we did observe some students in a classroom however by mid afternoon they were given the option to leave most did.
Natasha James, Student, E.P. Yorke High School
“The students that came they put two classes together and they let the teachers who came teach the class today and that is what they did.”
Jacqueline Woods
“How many teachers came today?”
Natasha James
“I am not sure; maybe about half.”
At Nazarene high school a total of fifty-one students out of an enrolment of three hundred and sixty-four students reported to school. At Pallotti High School the students were told to go home except those young women serving detention..........
Link to Belize news at: http://www.belizenews.com
More interviews on TV Channel 5:
Compol says he was in command on Friday
The video footage is now part of the nation's folklore of rebellion, right up there with the Tower Hill Bridge and streets of Benque Viejo. But if you thought that the Star Wars like precision of the riot squad and ballet style choreography of Assistant Commissioner Crispin Jefferies were spur of the moment decisions, think again. In the middle of the action in Belmopan, News 5's Stewart Krohn had a chat with Commissioner of Police Carmen Zetina...and guess what? Big brother was not only watching, but also giving orders.
Stewart Krohn
“How would you assess the work of your men and women today?
Carmen Zetina, Commissioner of Police
“Well, I must commend my officers. I think we exercised a lot of restrain. We came in as you see and you can see through the videos if you have a repeat of it that we came under heavy attack by people throwing missiles. People have been arrested because people might not know, we have gone so sophisticated that everybody out here were under video, under cameras.”
Stewart Krohn
”Do you plan to prosecute everyone for example that the video caught throwing stones?”
Carmen Zetina
“I will review the tape and I will take action against those persons who committed themselves.”
Rene Mendez, Love Fm
“Sir can you comment on Mr. Jefferies’ action that people are calling for him to be...they are saying that he is the one provoking the people and he is firing randomly.”
Carmen Zetina
“Mr. Jefferies did not do it on his own. I’ll be man enough to tell you that when I was watching it in the control centre, it was me who gave the instructions. Maybe you all don’t know about it, Mr. Jefferies does not act on his own. He was acting under instructions.”
Stewart Krohn
“Commissioner could you describe the kind of command and control system that was in place today.”
Carmen Zetina
Well as you saw it, and initially as you know, we brought in the recruits to be the passive sty to maintain the curtain that was erected for all the demonstrators and my position that we used the soft hand a the beginning and you see that our guys came under heavy attack and engage people who were well equipped to deal with any given situation that occurs.”
Rene Mendez
“Commissioner, the time for these demonstrators is up at three o’clock. They are saying that wouldn’t go. What would happen then?”
Carmen Zetina
“Well, I will decide at three o’clock exactly where we are going with respect to that because at three o’clock every assembly out here becomes illegal.”
Stewart Krohn
“Commissioner could you describe the types of elements that your men were using today? For example we saw the use of shotgun but we are not totally sure what kinds of shells were used inside.”
Carmen Zetina
“Well it wasn’t shell as you know and it’s rubber. I think only one was shot. It was a rubber bullet. We had gas as you had seen. Those are the first initial actions the police in any given situation, especially bustling situation.”
Stewart Krohn
“Have you and your department learnt anything through today’s actions that you would do differently next time?”
Carmen Zetina
“I don’t think so. I think we’ll maintain that position that is skilled through training and I don’t see anything that we have done different because I will continue to use certain restraint than using any force.”
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