A new Solicitor General will represent government in that hearing, we'll tell you who that is in a moment. But first, to the case: appearing on behalf of SATIIM, Senior Counsels Lois Young and Dean Barrow will argue that the Forestry Department violated the National Parks Act, and the Environmental Protection Act, among other offences. Today Attorney General Francis Fonseca was reluctant to discuss the case, but he told us he will energetically defend the position of the Forestry Department.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Attorney General
"Obviously the government is defending the case aggressively so the Attorney General's office is representing he Forestry Department, the Ministry of Natural Resources and so whatever position they advance will be the position that we are defending. Certainly in the first instance the application for judicial review will be objected to and actually its an application for leave to seek judicial review but after that we will sit down with the team at the Forestry Department and Ministry of Natural Resources and determine exactly what the position of the Government of Belize will be."
As we noted, the case will be argued on government's behalf by the new Solicitor General, Senior Counsel Edwin Flowers. He takes the place of the controversial Elson Kaseke who opted not to renew his contract. Though he's the new guy, Flowers is also the old guy. Just after the PUP first took office in 1998, the Prime Minister's long-time partner in his legal practice was given the nod and he served until 2001. Attorney General Fonseca told us why he's back.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"We were able to secure the services of a senior counsel, Edwin Flowers. He will serve as the new Solicitor General of Belize for a period of one year starting tomorrow June first and we are very pleased with that. Edwin Flowers of course is no stranger to that office. He served as solicitor general back in 1999 for a period of about 18 months or two years and of course he is the former Attorney General of Belize. He is well respected and he is a very competent attorney and so I think everyone was gracious in supporting his appointment and he has been very gracious. You know it's very difficult to get these lawyers in private practice to give up those lucrative dollars so we are very grateful that he has agreed to serve."
Alfonso Noble,
Will he have tenure or is this just a temporary measure until you find a permanent replacement?
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Yes this an interim appointment. He will serve as I said for one year and during that time we will try to secure the services of a permanent solicitor general."
