…But if He Has to then it Will Be for Belizeans

Dean Barrow

But according to the PM, if it forms part of the valuation to the compensation, then some ground will have to be found.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“They have long since gotten, as I said, enforcement orders from the U.S.  I am telling you, there’s nothing that Belize has there to attach.  And so they would have to come to Belize if they hope to enforce it and I am confident that I would then be able to resist the enforcement on the basis that the accommodation agreement is illegal.  Valuation for compensation is a different thing so they’re bringing it in that way, not nakedly as a stand-alone thing and so to that extent because it is arbitration dealing with compensation not with the accommodation agreement per se I’ve had to make provisions for what happens if that forms an element in the valuation.  And I’ve done as best I think as I can in terms of saying fine, if I have to pay an element in the overall compensation it must be spent in Belize on the people of Belize.”

Reporter

“Well, I don’t want to be argumentative, that’s not my nature, but isn’t that six of one and half a dozen of the other?  It’s just, yo di tek wahn suspension instead of a pill.”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“No sir, no sir.  The breach of the accommodation agreement which we conceded because we said we won’t honor it, it’s illegal.  That is a case that has been dealt with on its own and a judgment given.  In terms of the valuation of the company, their argument that some element ought to be included for the accommodation agreement is different from their being able to produce an award that says I need to pay so much because I breached the accommodation agreement.  Sure they’re connected but they’re not the same thing in my view.”