Last night it looked like the group of 7 had walked away from the table never to come back but tonight, the mood is very different and it's clear that both sides want to negotiate a truce, but working out the terms has proven to be a formidable task. It's a story that's been developing up to news time and here at 7NEWS we've been right up to the minute with it. The latest word is that the Prime Minister will make a statement on his new Cabinet tomorrow.
To narrate and analyze what's been happening to lead to that I have in studio with me again, News Director Jules Vasquez. Jules, what's been happening today?
Jules Vasquez,
Well Indira as you quite rightly said the mood tonight is much different form last night. Instead of a press briefing from the G7 that we were all waiting for today, the group went up to Belmopan where there was a late morning meeting planned with the Prime Minister. That meeting was moved to early afternoon, 2:00 p.m. to be precise. But just before 2:00 Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno, who by seniority alone has assumed leadership of the G7 went first to meet with the Prime Minister. That meeting lasted from 1:50 p.m. to 2:09 p.m. when he left. He returned 20 minutes later with the entire G7, and we have footage of them here.
They went in at 2:30 p.m., and came out a surprising 21 minutes later, and that's when we tried to speak to them which didn't go well.
[Audio]
Is there anything you can say to us Mr. Deputy Prime Minister?
Hon. Johnny Briceno,
“No not right now.”
Anything Mr. Espat?
So Jules that meeting we take it ended quickly and without resolution or at least none to speak of.
Jules Vasquez,
Well Indira I am told that at the meeting the Prime Minister offered to himself take on the post of Minister of Finance and leave Ralph Fonseca in the Cabinet as Minister of Home Affairs and Investment.
And isn't that what they wanted to have Fonseca removed from management of the country's finances?
Jules Vasquez,
That's right, but they argue that having Prime Minister Musa there is no better, in fact he was Minister of Finance when the Social Security Board issues and the rise of Intelco occurred so to these guys that's hardly a consolation and it was completely unacceptable.
So if they rejected that what was next?
Jules Vasquez,
Well, at 3:45 p.m. the Prime Minister sent two emissaries, his son and the President of NICH Yasser Musa and his long time consigliere Assad Shoman to meet with two members of the G7, Eamon Courtenay and John Briceno. This we understand had to be arranged we understand because the G7 didn't want to appear to be back and forth like children.
So did that meeting produce a resolution?
Jules Vasquez,
Well that meeting went for about two hours and finished just before 6:00 p.m., and whether it was amenable or not, late reports are that the Prime Minister will be making an announcement of his Cabinet posts tomorrow.
So Jules what are we to gather from all this? It looks very much like the spirit of reconciliation is afoot.
Jules Vasquez,
Well Indira, I think both sides for their shared destinies alone want this thing resolved. But both want it on their terms. The Prime Minister must be seen to be leader not cowed by upstarts in his party and the G7 must make it seem that they resigned on principle and stuck to that principle and own on that principle. It is, best put as an irresistible force meeting an immovable object.
And is there any indication when the Prime Minister will speak on this, when he will force a resolution?
Jules Vasquez,
Well Indira I think that's an important point. This is a very poor showing for the Prime Minister insofar as his leader seemed ineffectual, and fazed. I don't want to overstate it but he has been the one to say that government must govern and that is what he has failed to do. 27 hours have passed since he was handed the letter of resignation and he has not spoken, has not appointed a new Cabinet, has not acted decisively and to make it worse, the last time he spoke it was to mouth the words of the G7. Now we are told he will speak sometime tomorrow and announce his Cabinet then. I don't want to understate the heaviness of his burden and the difficulty of the maneuver, it is great, but leaders must lead, through adversity and morbidity.
But then Jules, by that token the G7 has also failed.
Jules Vasquez,
I think that is an elegantly made point Indira. The G7 claim to represent 23,000 voters. I think it is irresponsible and immature of them to have not spoken up, if only to say, well we maintain your best interests, I mean their actions have plunged this country into a crisis like it has never seen you do owe an explanation at the bare minimum.
And we do expect them to come forward and speak soon but what do you expect next Jules?
Jules Vasquez,
Well Indira, the more this stretches on the more dangerous it gets because ambition especially the kind these boys have is notoriously restless and unappeased. We are told that they have a south side rally planned for tomorrow namely Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde, I guess along with Godfrey Smith form Pickstock and you must know that for these representatives and their constituents it’s an important time because school is starting and that's where voters turn. Also, they continue to make overtures to the backbenchers who, as I understand it, are basically under house arrest - sequestered in a backroom at the National Assembly building. Certainly overtures are being made of them and powerful and big money players themselves interested in the undoing of Ralph Fonseca if not already involved are soon to be getting involved and that could prove persuasive and empowering to the G7.
So, then, despite yesterdays sense of closure or departure, it's wide open?
Jules Vasquez,
Well that's what I instinctually feel. Michael Finnegan who I should say is the only person that predicted that UDP would be crushed in 1998 as they were. He predicted I think that they would win 2 seats and they won 3. He predicted that and the told me the smart money is on a reconciliation by week's end and everybody will hugging except the UDP who has endorsed these people. The UDP Leader came to our studios yesterday and endorsed them and put them out as some type of moral beacons so that’s a very dangerous sword he set. Because it’s a sword that if these people reconcile, the PUP which has so long been devoid perceptually of morality, will have a viable certified by Dean Barrow moral center. So I don’t what will happen but the bottom line is that the G7 stays unified. I am told that they have written and signed a letter allowing any one of them to veto any agreement made by on or any number of the others.
So that means if one or three of them accept Said Musa's compromise, then the others can block it?
Jules Vasquez,
In theory that's what it means, but in practice, well its kind of a knights of the round table things where it looks good but it doesn’t really work that way.
That is notable and it'll make for another interesting day, Jules, thanks for keeping us up to date.