P.M. backs local bid for B.T.L.

With regard to the telecommunications mess Smith reaffirmed his government’s preference for Belizean ownership of B.T.L. That possibility also received some top-level support today in the form of a letter to Sunrise Investments, the Belizean company owned by three local B.T.L. executives that are seeking to buy the majority B.T.L. shares from Government. While acknowledging the ongoing litigation in the U.S., U.K. and Belize, Prime Minister Said Musa wrote to Sunrise saying that they “should prepare for the fullest possible participation in B.T.L., bearing in mind that the final outcome is dependent on a number of complex matters which are not all within the control of this government.” In related news the case brought by B.T.L.’s former majority owner, Jeffrey Prosser, against the Belize Government continued today in a Miami Federal Court. No decisions were reached and the hearing continues on Thursday.