Belize’s diplomatic mission in Brussel’s big, big budget
In its ongoing series called “Did You Know” the Chamber of Commerce unearths a scandalous increase in the budget of our diplomatic mission in Brussels for this year. According to the tid-bit of information, the government approved a budget of more than three-quarter million dollars for Brussels in the sum of eight hundred and twenty eight thousand six hundred dollars. That’s close to a million dollars that are being spent for the staff of three which includes the ambassador and her son. The comparison is that in 2001/2002, the budget for the Belgium mission was one hundred and seventy eight thousand one hundred and fifty six dollars.
I suspect some other people have their hands in that cookie jar! Let’s investigate!
My question is why do we really need a diplomatic mission in Brussel? There is already one in London a short hop away, getting there by train or plane in under 90 minutes. I have seen this EXTRAVAGANCE by both PUP and UDP representatives in Europe. Tell me why people claiming to represent Belize must reside in salubrious settings of Knightsbridge, St Johns Woods etc at the expense of the Belize taxpayers. They are all at it.
Must be one of barrows family corrupt pm and gov all of them pocketing as much money as they can grab before they are thrown out of office worse gov. In the history of Belize.
HOW CAN I GET A JOB LIKE THAT?????????????????????????????????????????????????
Embassy of Belize & Mission of Belize to
the European Communities
Boulevard Brand Whitlock 136,
1200 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: (32-2) 732 – 6204
(32-2) 732 – 9159
Telefax: (32-2) 732 – 6246
E-mail: embelize@skynet.be
Ambassador
Ms. Audrey J. Grant
Mr. David Grant
First Secretary
cause im sure everyone is itching to know who won the Mega Mega Political Bingo Jackpot…
Belgium Bingo is the naa aaamee 🙂
I strongly suggest some organization in Belize should start their version of wikileaks, this is the ultimate freedom of the press. the people have a right to know, this is not a national secret nor does it endanger anyboby’s life. Bzean Wikileaks..
I see Mr Grant built the crappy site, probably taxed the govt a 100 g’s for something that looks like it was done back when the internet started.
Belize is one of the few countries, if not the only one in this hemisphere which does not have career diplomats, much less career ambassadors. It is a shame to know that the neighboring countries have officers who rise in the ranks from foreign service officers to ambassadors in comparison to Belize. Additionally, officers of any rank should not be posted in any one country for more than four years (some countries have strict laws limiting tours of duty to two years). Will we ever reach this level of discipline in our diplomatic arena? I think not! Just taking a look at persons currently employed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives one a look into the deeper picture – almost all are politically appointed persons; lacking a proper background in the most basic areas of foreign policy.
That we need a mission in Brussels, we do. The European Union, the International Organization for Migration, the International Labor Organization as well as other relevant UN Agencies have their headquarters in Brussels and are organizations which Belize needs to work closely with. That these people posted at our diplomatic missions need to live in an extravagant manner, certainly not!! In the same manner that we are rising up against this 9th Amendment proposal, we should force these politicians to account for all those monies spent at our diplomatic missions. These people have everything paid for them, from the purchase of a simple 5-gallon water container! And not to mention how many of them utilize our tax payer monies to send their children to top universities listing them as dependents past the age of 18. Completely atrocious!
What benefit are we getting out of this Office???????????