The UDP land saga that began back in December of 1998 just 4 months after the general elections, when the UDP was served a letter stating that they were illegally occupying crown land, has finally come to and end. A mutual decision has been arrived at over the disputed parcel 912 where the offices of the United Democratic Party and those for Youth for the Future can co-exist on the embattled piece of sod. We today sought comment from both the Government and the Opposition in this new amicable settlement.
Francis Fonseca
Government could have, and the Prime Minister could have taken a hard line position and say well, let that proceed to the Privy Council and I think that's what happened. But I think the Prime Minister felt strongly about this matter. He felt that it should not be a source of tension between the two leading parties in the country and the Government. So, I think he just bit the bullet and said, let's settle this matter. The matter could have been settled long ago, I believe. And as I said earlier, there has been an on-going discussion in an effort to resolve the matter. In fact, at various points along the line we thought we had reached an agreement. But, it became a legal matter and as you know, when the lawyers get involved it tends to take a bit longer. So, it got dragged into the courts...and when matters become legal matters they have to take a natural course. The bottom line is, fortunately, it's now resolved, it's now resolved and I think that is what is important. Yes, we can look back and say that we should have done it a year ago but as you know... we regret many things. I think the bottom line is that the Belizean people will be happy that their political parties are showing some maturity on this issue.
Hon. Dean Barrow
I heard last week that if in fact no settlement were to materialize the cabinet had voted to acquire the land. Once that decision was taken, I think everything else became pretty much moot. If government had gone ahead and acquired the land, then at best the UDP could have hoped for compensation if we won the Privy Council appeal. But since we hope to be the government at that time, it would have looked terrible I think if UDP as government ended up paying UDP as party, compensation. So that when the Prime Minister said to me last Wednesday, Listen, notwithstanding that Cabinet has voted to acquire this land, I would much prefer if we can arrive at a settlement. I think, Indira, that it is a good thing. I think the controversy has gone on for far too long. It clearly caused some serious tensions between us and the Government and I am happy that there is a solution. I think that while we might have felt very confident that our legal rights were going to be vindicated in the end, it's much better this way.
Indira Craig
Are you then conceding to a loss because in fact you are giving up property?
Hon. Dean Barrow
Indeed, indeed but that's what happens in a settlement especially in a situation where in fact for all practical purposes the rest of the land was no longer ours. The houses had been built and I think we merely recognized what is the situation on the ground. As I said in any case, the government was prepared to acquire the thing legally and that would have meant that the question of title-hood would no longer have been in issue except for purposes as I indicated of possible compensation for the UDP.
The last step to a lasting settlement is the securing of a consent order that will be lodged with the Belize Court of Appeal to have the appeal of the UDP to the Privy Council withdrawn.