Smith and Fonseca also discussed the significance of yesterday's victory in Florida Federal Court, but could not look past the fact that while there is much to be relieved about, the government brought this entire mess upon itself.
Jules Vasquez,
This sigh of relief that the nation feels in a collective sense and this entire sense of celebration is all propped up on a situation that the government induced the nation into by agreeing to a concessionary agreement with Mr. Prosser that would you say that this sense of relief that we feel is in fact because the government has induced into a situation a near death situation in a telecommunications industry by destroying the stable and profitable industry because of meddling for no good reason other than creating a happy relationship with Intelco.
Godfrey Smith,
"I'll say this in response to that: you made reference to propped up on celebration and it is a sigh of relief; it's certainly not celebratory. We still have a lot of work to do. Did we stick out our neck too far with Prosser? Clearly we did. In relation to your last comment though, which I find to be extreme, you suggesting words like near death and destruction of a company, the fact is that if you look at the financials, even though there were some setbacks some of it brought about by strikes, the company is still a very profitable and viable company in really good shape."
Jules Vasquez,
If Michael Ashcroft was prepared to give interconnection why was all of this necessary?
Godfrey Smith,
"I don't know the answer to that, that goes back a far way Jules as you can imagine. We're trying to move away from entanglement and on to a positive clear path ahead. Those are matters I consider behind us quite frankly."
Now with Prosser effectively disabled and all but dismembered from the BTL board which will have a majority of 6 government and Ashcroft directors, government will now move to conclude its negotiations with Michael Ashcroft. Both Ministers discussed what's ahead.
Godfrey Smith,
"In terms of what happens next, you know we have signed certain agreements and those still have not been implemented in the sense of money passes and the shares transfers. But we hope within the next few weeks we will be able to be at that position. More board meetings have to take place and clearly it can take place now in an atmosphere of clarity, the court having found that the directors are properly appointed. So board meetings need to be held, resolutions passed, and a number of other technical things to move us to the point where you can actually put the agreement signed into effect."
