Parliament Would Not Be ‘Irresponsible’ with Debt Decision

Dean Barrow

Until the UHS debt is settled, the outstanding balance continues to accrue interest at a rate of seventeen percent monthly.  Is government’s refusal to pay the debt an act of irresponsibility on its part?  Here’s the Prime Minister’s response to that question.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“History is replete with examples of debt that have not been paid, that have never been paid.  Look, I say again that clearly it would be very much our wish to satisfy all judgments against the state, to pay all debts owed by the country.  This is a completely unusual set of circumstances with which we are dealing, but an examination of the ingredients of this particular mix, an examination of the individual consciences of those who are members of our cabinet, an examination of the public sentiment insofar as we are able to gauge it, an examination of the whole question of morality allied with the need to preserve the finances of this country so that we might continue to deliver the goods and services to Belizeans.  All that, all that convinces this Cabinet that if parliament were to vote not to pay this debt, parliament could never be accused of being irresponsible.  On the contrary, there are those who would wish to crown parliament with laurel wreaths, garland parliament with all sorts of encomiums, if you will.”