He isn't under arrest - strictly speaking - but tonight Dr. John Gough is at the BDF headquarters in Price Barracks and he is unable to leave. Gough who is a trained cardiologist is also a BDF soldier and is tonight in trouble with the force for desertion of duty. It's a serious charge especially since Gough's four and a half years of medical school in Mexico was paid for by the BDF. But as he prepares to spend another night in lockdown, his big brother, also a doctor, says there is more to the story - which tells him the lockup is nothing more than old-fashioned victimization.
Keith Swift Reporting,
On August 14th we introduced you to Cardiologist John Gough. Gough is one of only two Belizean cardiologists and his cardiology unit at the Medical Associates Hospital is a first for the country. But today the door to that unit was closed because Dr. Gough is in lockdown at the BDF headquarters at Price Barracks. He is there because he is a soldier and private John Gough is accused of desertion of duty - going AWOL. Dr. George Gough is john's older brother.
Dr. George Gough, Brother of John Gough
"My brother is a physician that was a volunteer in the Belize Defense Force and was sent abroad four or five years ago to do a training in cardiology. He has returned to the country since March. The interesting thing about this detention is that when John returned to Belize in March, John asked the BDF to find out what his status was because precedence shows in the BDF under Dr. Craig, under myself, and under Dr. Gabourel and we were all given a commission to the rank of captain and then eventually as we got our training, we were promoted to majors and then also our salaries were promoted to the salary for a specialist."
But that didn't happen. John returned in March and as he agreed and was actually legally required to do - he has been working for the BDF as a specialist. The problem is that with all his training and fancy equipment that he showed us in August - he was still being paid as a general practitioner. His rank was also uncertain. With all that, George says that earlier this month john couldn't take anymore and asked the BDF's Commander for a way out.
Dr. George Gough,
"He comes to Belize and for five, six, seven months nobody can define his rank and on top of that now, they are telling him he is a private soldier. Now tell me how you will take a professional who went to school sixteen years, one of only two cardiologists in this country, and you will call him a private soldier? How can you ask a doctor to come into the BDF, go on training, come back as a specialist, and you want to treat him worse than a recruit? I am trying to stay civil here...please; I am trying to stay civil."
Private John Gough surrendered to force authorities last night and up to this afternoon he was still detained.
Dr. George Gough,
"If they legally feel that he is legally detained then they should legally proceed, read him his charge, go ahead and process what they are going to process against him, and release him, bottom line. But if they are going to continue to humiliate him, because that's what they are trying to do, they are about to humiliate themselves because nobody takes one of the only two cardiologists in this country, detain him on a military base, violate his constitutional rights, because you claim he is a soldier, when today, I found out today, that they published under Force Regular Orders that my brother was a private soldier from February 28th."
George Gough who also worked for the BDF some years ago says his brother is being punished because he is a UDP standard bearer.
Dr. George Gough,
"I never did imagine because of that position that I carry with a mass party, which I proudly represent in the Opposition United Democratic Party, that they would ever try something like this. Now I know we are all subject to law, even my brother is subject to law, but there are ways of doing things and this one I think has crossed the line.
I feel that the people in the army are playing games. General Heusner for me is playing games. I think Major Thomas is playing games and I am calling names because they are waiting for General Gillett to come tomorrow and they are going to play games. I hope they realize and are aware of what games they are playing because I can also play them."
There was no one at the BDF authorized to comment today. Commander Lloyd Gillett is expected back in the country tomorrow.
