And while PM Briceno is holding back on that increase in contributions, the current PM didn't hold back when it was time to get rid of a book written by his former Prime Minister, Said Musa.
In September of 2005 - when he was still PM, Musa launched a book called "Belize A Caribbean Nation in Central America: Selected Speeches of Said Musa". It was edited by his then Minister Godfrey Smith and drew much attention at the time.
Musa personally autographed a copy for Briceno saying, "Best Wishes, let's work together." And, Godfrey Smith captioned it tenderly for Briceno, saying, "Long may our Friendship endure."
No doubt, touching and sincere inscriptions between powerful men - but Briceno seems like he was hardly moved.
We can say that because the book seems to have been discarded - and we know that because it ended up in the corner of a used bookstore in Texas - described by the bookseller as, quote, 'like new, perfect binding, never read.'
The little nugget came to us from a young researcher on Belize, thrilled that he'd managed to purchase an original signed copy - and for only 20 US dollars.
Today we asked the Prime Minister how it is that this book - so thoughtfully inscribed - ended up in bookstore in Texas - he said he can't even remember when he got it:
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"You are giving me news and I have absolutely no idea. I don't even remember when they gave me that book. I get so many books. It could be that inadvertently, many times I buy a lot of books, I love to read. I would pack up my books and I would give it away to library or give it to people. I could be by some error I gave it to somebody that toom it to Texas and they probably give it to somebody and it ended up in the bookstore. It s good storey, but I have no idea."
Reporter
"Sir, but shouldn't it be a prize possession? This is from your predecessor."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't know how that happened and if my predecessor in any way believes that I have not appreciated what he has given me, I apologized, but I don't even remember getting the book."
The book was launched on September 29, 2005, and sold for 40 Belize dollars. Signature and all, the used bookseller is offering it for 20 US dollars.
