And while Castro's political misfortunes were the hottest news of the day - the biggest news was the Belize Sugar Industries Loan Motion - in fact, it was the single reason for the Special House Meeting.
As expected both sides of the floor supported the ten million dollar loan - but even in agreement there was discord - and so while there should have been bi- partisan sweetness in approving this sugar loan - things started off on a bitter note with the leader of the opposition.
John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"It took the Prime Minister almost 659 days Mr. Speaker after the death of Atanascio Guitierrez to finally find the time to go to the Corozal District and meet with the caneros to talk to them about the plight of the sugar industry. Mr. Speaker it is only after they started to hear rumors that how the cane farmers were going to start to demonstrate because they could not get their payments of approximate 3.2 million dollars. What was more shocking that when the Prime Minister finally met the caneros at the general meeting that the prime minister had to admit that he was unaware of how bad the situation was with the sugar industry. There is no excuse for the prime minister to come to the cane farmers and say that he was unaware; he is the Minister of Finance; he is the Prime Minister; he is supposed to be fully aware and fully engaged as to what is happening in one of our most important industries in this country and he finally recognized the severity of the problem when the management of BSI met with him, I think it was in late September. Whenever the management of BSI talks all they do is blame the farmers but they refuse to also accept that they also have a problem and this case in particular was one of the worst cases ever that the crop went all the way to the end of August and any cane fame would tell you Mr. Speaker and I could tell you because I've been working in the cane fields as a young boy I drive tractor I cut cane, I load cane, I plant and so I know all of that Mr. Speaker and I tell you I'm doing it now, but I have the experience so I can come here and talk about it. I could talk about the sugar Industry Minister of Education. And as for the Cane Farmer's association Mr. Speaker they have to get their act together. They cannot continue to mismanage the association for short term gains. They cannot continue to just be lending to their friends or bad spending some of the fair trade money. You could check Mr. Prime Minister you won't see my name, you could check, go ahead, go ahead because they took away their (my family's) quota because the UDP took away their quota and they couldn't deliver. That is the problem Mr. Prime Minster that you need to understand. When the UDP got in they took away all their quota and they could not deliver to pay that is the problem. The other thing that we need to do Mr. Speaker and what they need to do - I have paid my bills! - they cannot, they cannot Mr. Speaker.... The Government and I told the Prime Minister in any way that I can help and prepare to help."
Mr. Speaker we all understand that we cannot continue with business as usual in the Sugar Industry. There has to be reformed, we have to modernize the industry, we have to modernize the transportation system and also we have to move to a system where the farmers are going to be paid by the quality of the cane that they deliver and therefore Mr. Speaker on behalf of the sugar Industry and the people of the north and this country I do support this motion."
Gaspar Vega, Minster of Natural Resources
"He doesn't know a thing about cane. When his dad was a cane farmer he used to buy the cane from the poor smaller farmers, he never planted cane. Mr. Speaker, and I want to let the leader of the opposition it doesn't matter how much money he invests in information, radio, television, people know that you are a bloody liar."
Said Musa, Former Prime Minster
"I have sat here quietly listening to noise from the gallery and now from the Leader of the Opposition - from the Deputy Prime Minster to be uttering words which are totally unparliamentarily and nothing is said about it. I really object Mr. Speaker and I wish you would make a ruling on this matter."
Speaker of the House
"Honorable member for Fort George thank you. Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, I agree that reference to the leader of the opposition by his first name is not allowed and some of the language you have used borders on..."
Gaspar Vega, Minster of Natural Resources
"Mr. Speaker I apologize but I want to make sure that you recognize that the word "sinverguenza" only means shameless that's not any obscene language. "
Said Musa, Former Prime Minster
"Mr. Speaker, we should really stop this foolishness of saying that it is PUP's fault to blame for everything, because really it is not going to get us anywhere. It is not going to help them on the other side to win another election because the people are looking to you, you are the ones elected to deliver to the people, yes. So while I will join today in throwing my bouquet to the Honorable Prime Minister in commending him and indicating our full support for this motion, we recognize that this industry is indeed the lifeblood and livelihood of close to 50,000 Belizeans, indeed it's vital to the entire economy of Belize that has been clearly pointed out today, it is as the member for Pickstock said, it's an industry too big to fail."
Prime Minster Dean Barrow
"We will without a doubt pass this motion today since it is common ground. I am absolutely certain the Senate will approve it tomorrow but we cannot lend the money to BSI. BSI cannot draw down on this money except BSI receives the waivers from the banks. I checked this morning, I am now being told that because of today being "Turkey Day" ThanksGiving Day and this being a long weekend, a holiday extending all the way through until Monday. It does not appear that it will be possible to get the consent of the banks before Monday. While this government is completely committed to the industry we cannot lend because BSI cannot borrow unless and until the banks give their waivers. I have already started making calls. I am going to be seeing a couple of ambassadors because if for some reason - we have no sense at all that the banks won't ultimately agree - but if for some reason they don't, then I'll - bad back and all - start catching planes immediately to go to the capitals where perhaps we can get some assistance because in that scenario I have to try my level best to find the 30 million."
It should be known by the middle of next week whether those waivers are forthcoming. Considering there was only one loan motion approved, the meeting was still long - going on for three and a half hours.
