And while a cash-strapped government waits for that Ashcroft CD to clear in Belize, litigation about BTL's other major player Jeffrey Prosser is expected to continue in Miami within the next few days. Yesterday, government's attorneys in Miami at the firm of Hunton and Williams filed an application asking the judge to revisit and lighten her decision to find the Government of Belize in contempt.
Well today, the law firm representing Jeff Prosser filed its own application in Miami Federal Court. The application is excessively critical of yesterday's ruling by the Chief Justice and criticizes and disrespects the Chief Justice himself. And that's only the fight on one front. On Monday, 5 term U.S. Congressman Jerry Weller visited the Prime Minister at his office in Belmopan to urge the government to respect Prosser's investment and continue to work with the American Investor. Weller, it should be noted is no small timer; he's a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and the Committee on International Relations. And, if you want more, his wife is also the daughter of former Guatemalan Dictator, Efrain Rios Montt.
So, it's clear his visit here was to make Belize feel some of Uncle Sam's thunder. But today the Prime Minister told us that the Congressman was misinformed and he set him straight.
Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize
"On the visit I had from Congressman Weller, as we sat down and discussed I think he became more fully aware of the facts of the matter. I believe he was under the impression that the government of Belize was confiscating shares belonging to ICC. So I had to disabuse him of this, that there was no question that we were confiscating anyone's shares of a US company, rather it was a case that the company had not paid for the shares and the government had taken back the shares. And indeed the court in Miami has upheld that already, that is not a issue that the government had every right to take back the shares since they had paid for them. So I explained all that to the Congressman and I think he has a better understanding of the situation. The actual technical issue that is outstanding now deals strictly with how many directors each shareholder should have and that is being dealt with by the court. You know of the ruling yesterday by our Chief Justice. I think it was a very sound, well reasoned, judgement given and I am hopeful that that judgement will now be taken before the Judge in the Miami court and that she will take it into account in arriving at a final decision."
Keith Swift,
If we are to take that Federal Judge at her word, should we not be concerned about our assets abroad specifically our reserves?
Said Musa,
"Oh certainly, whenever a judge threatens to exact sanctions, by way of contempt, that is always a matter of great concern and we are concerned. This is why we have our attorneys fighting the case in Miami and we are hopeful that once the judge becomes fully apprised of all the facts, and indeed of the interpretation put on the Articles of Association of a locally incorporated company in Belize, once she takes notice on that we believe the matter will be cleared. Of course it all depends, I can't predict how a foreign judge will rule in a situation like this. I am just hopeful that she will see all sides of the matter."
Keith Swift,
Some people will say we are in this situation because of the so-called mistakes of your government. What would you say to those who say that given the ruling of the Judge, this could be a very costly mistake?
Said Musa,
"Well I am hopeful that this will not happen. I know there are many doomsayers who are hoping for the worse, because of political bias and all that, but I think any nationalist, any objective person who is concerned about the welfare of Belize, will realize that that will hurt all of us. So its not in anybody's interest for Belize to be held in contempt and for sanctions to be imposed and we will do everything possible to avoid that happening."
The government now awaits the judgment of U.S. Federal Judge Ursula Ungaro Benages.
