Ex-Belizean Ambassador to Taiwan Can’t Explain Honduran Diplomat’s Involvement in Kim Affair
Cherie Nisbet
The Committee’s first witness today was former Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Cherie Nisbet. She was at post when South Korean businessman turned fugitive Won Hong Kim was granted citizenship despite never setting foot in Belize. Her office was contacted by then-Deputy Mayor Eric Chang after he heard of Kim’s issues and tried to visit him in the detention center in Taipei, but he never got through to him and the faked passport was confiscated and eventually returned to Belize. Chang said he had gotten to know of Kim through a Honduran diplomat, Alejandro Young, who was attending the same summit as Chang. But Nisbet said no one from her office ever contacted Young to find out about his involvement in the Kim affair and she seemed to dismiss it as unimportant.
Mark Lizarraga, Senator, Business Community
“Why did you not ask Mr. Alejandro Young how he came about having a Belizean passport in his possession?”
Cherie Nisbet, Former Ambassador of Belize to Taiwan
“I just didn’t ask; I’m not sure why.”
Mark Lizarraga
“Weren’t you curious?”
Cherie Nisbet
“No.”
Mark Lizarraga
“Was that normal, for a Honduran diplomat to know first of all that a Belizean was in prison and you didn’t know; and second of all, to be in possession of this person’s official documents? Why wasn’t a Belizean diplomat the person to know that a Belizean was in jail? That did not seem strange to you?”
Cherie Nisbet
“No.”
Mark Lizarraga
“No? Did anyone question the fact that a Honduran diplomat came to know of ‘CWitizen Kim’ being in a Taiwanese prison?”
Cherie Nisbet
“I don’t remember.”
Mark Lizarraga
“Did anyone question from your Embassy or from the Ministry – did anybody question how did charge d’Affaires Young came to be in possession of Kim’s Belizean passport?”
Cherie Nisbet
“I don’t remember.”
Mark Lizarraga
“Do you find that strange that nobody inquired, including yourself?”
Cherie Nisbet
“I don’t remember anybody inquiring and I don’t find it strange that I didn’t ask, no.”
Jejeje I don’t remember anything, wow ha everybody forgotten what they did yesterday, I don’t remember damn. Wish I can barrow money and later say I don’t remember and end up not paying lol. Seriously when someone with such rank and diplomatic level reaches a point on not remember it’s really a sad state for the country. So how can this people be there and suddenly they don’t remember anything not seem interested in suspicions things going on mein we’re screwed up.
I can understand a little, people with Belizean passport in another country in jail doesn’t contact the embassy for assistance. Many people prefer not to inform them because they really don’t do anything about it.