Point man in the negotiations with the Belize Communications Workers Union and government, Godfrey Smith was to have met with union representatives today to plot a way forward in the negotiations but that was postponed because of Hurricane Emily that is tracking in our direction. The postponement came because Smith is also Minister responsible for NEMO and traveled around the country to ensure that we are ready. We'll have his visit to San Pedro later on in the newscast but first, Kainie Manuel and Ron Sniffin of the San Pedro Sun today asked the Minister about the status of the BTL sale of shares to Ashcroft's E-com.
Godfrey Smith, Minister of Information
"Basically nothing quite new in that we're still in the process of trying to conclude our sale agreements that were passed through the National Assembly. The litigation continues on the ICC side in Miami and nothing dramatically has changed. We're still working on concluding the transaction. In terms of the unions, the 20% shares we set aside are still there and actually I was supposed to be in a meeting with the unions today but because of the situation which takes me various different spots, we'll have to put off that meeting hopefully until early next week."
Kainie Manuel, San Pedro Sun
"Anything new with Mr. Ashcroft and his trying to acquire new shares?"
Godfrey Smith,
"We're still in negotiations as well to conclude that but its complex because of all the various elements involved, especially the developments with the litigation on the U.S. front."
Later on in our newscast we'll tell you about Smith's tour of the island of San Pedro to assess it's preparedness in case Emily hits.
