P.U.P. tries to mend its wounds

While some progress was made on resolving his Social Security problems, Prime Minister Musa is having less luck reuniting his fractured People’s United Party. According to those close to negotiations, a series of meetings beginning Thursday evening has failed to provide a peace treaty between insurgents Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde and more senior party officials. Deadline for resolution of the crisis appears to be Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, as on that afternoon Musa will head to Washington for crucial conversations with international financial institutions. One possible scenario includes expulsion of Espat and Hyde from Cabinet–and/or the party, but the preferred choice is for some kind of accommodation followed by a muzzling of all concerned. Some observers are likening the P.U.P. implosion to the current conflict between Israel and Lebanon. That is, it started with a kidnapping but could end in nuclear war. Meanwhile, the beleaguered Prime Minister kept up appearances with an address at the closing of a regional workshop on public financial management.

Prime Minister Said Musa
?It is a very important topic for us in Belize, given our ongoing efforts to strengthen governance systems, including the management of public finances. As you would have heard during theses sessions, here in Belize we are in a process of reform of our public financial management system. We have strengthened our finance and audit legislation. To among other things give greater independence to the auditor general, define stronger procurement processes, increase transparency in the process of public borrowings and increase the transparency in the sale of public assets. We have also instituted an office of the contractor general with the responsibility and power to review and approve all public contracts. We are stream lining our budget process to ensure greater accuracy and relevance and to provide for the participation of civil society in its formulation. These reforms are part of a greater process of political reform, which began in 1999 that we have been able to do as much as we have in such short a time reflects the fact the reform process has been fully supported, and at times led by civil society. This I believe is a good thing. The extent to which we are able to make meaningful and lasting improvements to our system of governance is the directly tide to the participation and support of the people.?