And while government plots a knotted path with its BTL strategy, it can turn to the Senate for some guidance and clarity. PUP Senator Richard 'Dickie' Bradley yesterday introduced a Senate resolution for the control of BTL by Belizeans. It proposes, among other things, that Belizeans obtain majority shareholdings in BTL, that the Telecommunications Act be amended to ensure that no person or company can own more than 25% of the shares, and that government should retain the golden share.
It's well intentioned, but again, like closing that famous stable gate after the stallions have bolted Bradley might note that Michael Ashcroft is a Belizean citizen, that the articles in their current form do prevent anyone from owning more than 25% but on the day before the election in 1993, a PUP government allowed Michael Ashcroft to own any amount, and that last year the Prime Minister sold Jeff Prosser the so called golden share which still allows Prosser to appoint two company directors for a distinctly un-golden price of $5.88. Prosser, we note still retains that share.
But while the resolution may be flawed, it is a first and had tri-partite support from the government Senators, the opposition senators and the social partners. Still it has no binding effect in law, and at best is a well made suggestion or perhaps a caution to a government prone to sellouts.
The Senate also amended the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to ensure that all actions taken under the treaty fall in line with Belize's constitution. And for the first time, the Senate approved the appointment of a female justice of the Supreme Court. She is Michelle Rodolfo Arana who, apart from being the fist female justice, at the age of 36 becomes also the youngest every appointed to serve on the bench.
