The Association of Concerned Belizeans sent out a release today condemning the production sharing agreements. For reference they refer to the final offer made by the company Lagoon Resources for the same block 16 which started out at a 23% production share to government and maxed out at 43% for government. The PSAs government agreed to start at 1.5% for government and end at 15%. The statement says the ACB is calling on the government to cancel them immediately. The ACB statement it also calls on all civil society organization to pressure the government.
But when we spoke to the Prime Minister on Friday, he seemed firm in his commitment to the PSAs and went as far as to say they were in the public interest.
[October 19th, 2007]
Jules Vasquez,
The question is why is there such a variance between what was in the Cabinet paper that Minister Briceno submitted and...
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I am telling you what the Cabinet decided. Cabinet in its wisdom decided to go this way."
Jules Vasquez,
But why would we agree to a BNE type contract post the discovery of oil? The BNE contract was framed in the context of a country that having oil and so many dry wells.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well you're asking a rhetorical question by way of criticism and I am answering it how the Cabinet decided."
Jules Vasquez,
But Sir its so clearly against...
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"You're getting into commentary now man."
Jules Vasquez,
But sir clearly a proposal was made for something that envisioned a far larger production share.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well first of all we are assuming that oil will be found in these areas."
Jules Vasquez,
But it's next to a oil producing block.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well that doesn't mean anything. They have also drilled a well by Georgeville, much closer to Spanish Lookout, and they found no oil. It's a risky venture."
Jules Vasquez,
But sir is this not decidedly against the national interest?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"No I don't believe so. I don't believe it's against the national interest. I honestly, sincerely do not believe that it's against the national interest and the Cabinet supported the decision that the Minister took."
Jules Vasquez,
What do you make of the former Minister's statement that he would not support it...
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I don't think anything about that."
But again report to us this evening say that and government is feeling that pressure. As we reported there was a late evening meeting with key players in the Musa administration in Belmopan to decide what course to pursue. We are told that a cancellation of the PSA is a very real possibility and it is being endorsed by ranking ministers. More on this tomorrow.
