On Friday we told you that government continues to be in big trouble with Florida Federal Court, where as of today, it's fine for contempt of court is just over US$5 million and the meter continues to run. Well - judging by the evidence obtained by 7NEWS, the government of Belize can surely make a hardship case to the U.S. government: how can it pay the fine when it can't even pay New York City parking tickets?
7NEWS has obtained a copy of a letter from Belize's Charge'd Affairs in New York Janine Coye Felson to her boss, Lawrence Sylvester, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belmopan. In it, Coye is providing answers after Sylvester wrote the New York Mission asking about unpaid parking fines for the Belize Mission that have forced the U.S. to with-hold foreign assistance. Coye-Felson's letter confirms that, "the amount outstanding for parking violations is US$7,895."
The Assistant Commissioner of the New York Department of Finance has proposed that Belize can pay 60%, US$4,737 and write off the entire debt. Sounds like a good deal, but, no money noh deh! Coye-Felson explains that the mission's budget has been cut, and it can barely meet its minimum obligations to keep the office going on a month to month basis. And after making that clear, Coye Felson points out that as the U.S. Secretary of State has made clear, ultimately - it is the Government of Belize that will be held accountable.
This communiqué was dated the 30th of June, almost two weeks ago, but due to the late incoming information, we were unable to determine if the Government of Belize has yet paid these parking fines and thus freed up the suspension of foreign assistance.
We note that the matter of the outstanding fines comes up as the mission is in transition: Former Ambassador Stuart Leslie was recently fired, as was the former driver.
