Panton's parliamentarians held the press conference today under the UDP banner. We know that has been known to trigger some kind of legal threat from Shyne Barrow who clings to party leadership. She explained the grounds on which they stand:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Be assured that the UDP internal party issues will be handled responsibly and decisively by our elected leadership under the guidance of the Honourable Hugo Patt our legally designated interim party leader."
"We are pursuing all legal avenues available to us to resolve the current leadership impacts. This process will be undertaken with integrity and transparency."
Foreign Minister Welcomes Deportees
As we have reported, there have been two deportee flights from the US to Belize. The numbers are small, just about two dozen - but the message from the US is clear: undocumented immigrants are no longer welcome in the US.
But, is Belize now ready to welcome them home - and try to employ the skills they have gained in the US while re-integrating them productively into society? The Foreign Minister answered that today:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah, we have, as you rightly pointed out, we had one. I think the first flight was we had, I think, 21 persons coming. The second flight, I think we had eight persons coming. You know, and we work. It's a sort of collaborative effort. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is of course, we're responsible for certain aspects of it, but we work very closely with the human Development department. We work, of course, at the Belize Police Department. We work with immigration as well, to make sure that we are meeting with these individuals who need help and support. For the most part, we have found that, most of them have families in Belize. And, they are they have a support structure in place. But still we make sure that they have proper information, proper advice about government services, that are available to them. And if they have any questions and concerns, we try to address those. I think there were 1 or 2 individuals who had, really no kind of family in Belize that left Belize a long time ago, and we had to provide, some at least short term housing arrangements for them. So we're doing everything we can to support them to make sure that their transition back into Belizean society, is, you know, is as, as, as, you know, as peaceful as possible. Those who have police, records or who are wanted by the police, obviously. Then the police, police department gets involved, and interviews them and addresses whatever issues they have with them."
Rubio Has Met With All Caricom Foreign Ministers Except Fonseca, Why?
And speaking of US relations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with the leaders of every CARICOM country, and with most of the leaders of Central America, except Belize - how should Belize interpret this exclusion?
Fonseca stressed that they have spoken on the phone:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Not at all. Secretary Rubio had a fantastic, 30 minute conversation with telephone conversation with Prime Minister personal, several, you know, months ago or, good conversation, very productive. We talked about or shared mutual interests. We have an excellent relationship working relationship with the US embassy here in Belize with the State Department. We've had multiple meetings with our ambassador in Washington and the State Department. You know, I in fact, I'm planning a visit to Washington in the next few weeks, where we have high level meetings set up. So, you know, we have a great relationship with the United States government. And really, the truth is that, you know, the relationship is so good that, there's not a need for a lot of, talking and meeting, we have a good relationship. And in many cases, what you see happening is, you know, the US is, is very concerned about, the influence of China, you know, our hemisphere, obviously Belize has relations with Taiwan. So there's not a need. There's not a need for us to meet to discuss those issues while with other countries. There's a need to discuss those issues on the part of the US. So, excellent relationship."
When Will GOB Name New Ambassadors?
And while Fonseca says the relationship is excellent - many have been asking what changes in diplomatic postings will follow after the recent general election. No new ambassadors have been named, but reports say there are changes afoot. Here's what the Foreign Minister said about it today:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah we just finalised that obviously, we were waiting for to get through to the budget process and everything. So we're just at the point of finalising that. So we expect all of that to be, completed, by the end of July. By the end of July, we'll have that process completed where we have the new ambassadors in place. By the end of July."
Screwworm Now Affecting Dogs
Last night we had an update on the current status of the new world screw-worm in Belize - where it is prevalent, but less so than in other Central American countries.
But in a press conference with BAHA and the ministry of Agriculture today, they revealed that the number of Screwworm cases appearing in dogs is now becoming a growing concern. Jomarie Lanza has that report.
Special Funding For Carnivals 50th Year
And, in softer news, it was a golden Handover today for the National Celebrations Commission, which presented a cheque for $45,000 to the Carnival Committee which is celebrating 50 years of the Carnival Road March.
The Minister of Culture gave us more details on how the monies will be disbursed and used in preparation for one of the most highly anticipated events of the September celebrations season:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
"As you know every year the national celebrations commission makes a contribution to the Belize Carnival Association to support obviously the Belize Carnival, the Belize city carnival its a major event on the September celebrations calendar so we have always contributed to that effort what makes this year special is that it is the 50th anniversary of carnival in Belize so I had a meeting a few months ago with representatives from the carnival association you know we talked about the 50th anniversary and we all agreed that listen 50 years we have to celebrate that in a big way we have to go big w have to do it bigger and better than ever and of course that requires additional resources so that is what we are doing we are providing additional resources we are providing the start up kick off funds that they usual need but the Association is also holding 2 important events in celebration of 50 years of carnival in Belize. We are having a big Gala, 50th anniversary gala where they will be rewarding 50 individuals and businesses that have supported carnival over these past 50 years and they will also be publishing a 50th anniversary magazine really to celebrate all things carnival in Belize so we wanted to support both those initiatives and so today we gave them a cheque for $45,000, $20,000 for the carnival Association to kick off their usual activities and then $15,000 as a contribution towards the gala and $10,000 is a contribution towards the publication of the magazine."
Patrick Thompson, President, Carnival Association
"Well like I said earlier this is our golden anniversary, 50 years of Carnival in Belize, 50 years of reeling and yes we are having big things planned we are in dialogue with mayors of the different municipalities where we are inviting carnival groups from different municipalities to come and be apart of the 50th anniversary in Belize."
"Carnival all started back in 1975 with 5 ladies and this gala is basically to highlight these ladies and as well as 50 other people who have been there from the beginning of 1975 to now that have helped carnival to grow to where it is now so the gala it is a masquerade gala so to speak right where like I said we will be honouring people we will be honouring the bands and having fun, masquerade Gala style."
Carnival Route Remains The Same
And aside from today's upcoming carnival anniversary, we also asked the minister for details on the carnival route, which he says will stay the same along Marine Parade and they are full steam ahead with it.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
"Absolutely, absolutely 100% we are sticking with the route we had last year you know I think we have received unanimous support for that route that was chosen last year and the carnival Association is very happy you know I think most Belizeans who participated who watched the carnival last year think it was a great idea I know the police certainly loved the fact that they were able to have more control over the carnival so yes we are full steam ahead with the route from last year."
