Cabinet met today in Belmopan - the first time since it met on May 17th when it considered the definitive agreement and the enabling legislation for the Port of Magical Belize that accompanies it.
The Cabinet paper came from the Prime Minister's Ministry to the big room urging members, quote, "it is now critical that the tangible support of the government be provided through the requisite legislation which government committed to under the definitive agreement."
But, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler pushed back against it. Today in Belmopan, he told PLUS TV why:
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"It was presented to us the night before; I went through the night reviewing it. I had some major concerns with it and I brought them to cabinet. Other members in cabinet then chimed in and then it was led by the PM that said no we should put a hold on the document."
Reporter
"You said that there were some concerns that caught your eyes, what exactly was it?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"The concessions, the issue of exclusivity in a specific area, the issue of if we would raise taxes, that we would have to re-imburse the developers. I don't agree with any of those things. There are a lot more issues that I have and we had a sober discussion in cabinet and we said no."
"But we have to remember that this was signed, this definitive agreement was signed by Erwin Contreras of the UDP."
Reporter
"Is the definitive agreement in your opinion binding?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"I'm not a legal person, so, I'll take the advice from legal counsels."
Reporter
"What is the next for the definitive agreement?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"So, I believe that we will have a sit down with the developers and work out an arrangement. Like the prime minister has said, it will be no better or no less that any previous document or agreements that have been signed."
Reporter
"Will Portico will be able to maintain its partnerships with Bokalis and Royal Caribbean if the agreement is substantially changed and the lavished concessions?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"I wouldn't know and I would say with the scandalous sections in that document, I really don't care. If they want to be a true partner for Belize, then it has to be in the best interest of the Belizean people."
Reporter
"Belize has a cruise ship emergency with the cruise lines refusing to tender for much longer. Portico has an MOU from Royal Caribbean. Is government under pressure to work something out with them at present?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Well, it would be better if we could get Stake Bank completed now and then work on this development Port of Magical. So, we have commitment from cruise lines currently, but the lines are saying that the ships that are coming out are way too big for us to do an tendering of this sort. So, we have to get a docking facility sooner rather than later."
Reporter
"Portico is eager to get the enabling legislations passed through the house. When will this happen?"
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"I don't know. We don't have a timeline."
Reporter
"It is mentioned that your ministry plays a role in bringing the agreement and the proposed legislation to cabinet."
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"That was not so. The agreement that I saw the night before only said one ministry. It didn't include us, but yes the one that went to cabinet in the morning, because I believe they were doing some work to the paper at night, was presented with us, but I'll say this: there was no direct consultation with my ministry or me."
