…CCJ to be Notified of Settlement

Dean Barrow

According to the Prime Minister lawyers for both parties are currently notifying the CCJ of the settlement so where litigation is concerned, the matter is done. The prime minister acknowledged his brother, Denys Barrow, as attorney for G.O.B. while Eamon Courtenay represents Fortis. So will the deal have any significant political impact when elections are called, one way or another? Only time will tell.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“If we hadn’t settled…you know there is a decision pending before the CCJ – Fortis challenged the acquisition. If we hadn’t settled now and that judgment came down and the Court said – Government of Belize you were wrong – give back that company to Fortis. When you look at it that way…that would have produced a hell of a negative response on the part of the public and against G.O.B.  Leaving the short term political calculations apart, man this is an excellent deal. It has seen us get back to a partnership with Fortis. It has provided us with the possibility of making use of their resources, their expertise, their capital…and if it doesn’t pay any political dividends in the immediate term history, as somebody once famously said…and to appropriate it and misquote it – will absolve us.”

The decision on another nationalization – that of B.T.L. – is still looming on the horizon.  When questioned about it today the PM was dismissive, which we take to mean that there is no settlement in the works with the previous owners of the telecommunication company.