Will Assad Shoman be Hired by Barrow Administration?

Dean Barrow

And to close off our coverage of Belize/Guatemala relations tonight, we turn to the status of Ambassador Assad Shoman. P.U.P. leader John Briceño last week made the announcement that Senator Eamon Courtenay would continue as their lead representative to his advisory group of foreign ministers. Shoman might be gone from the P.U.P., but maybe he still has a place in the talks between Belize and Guatemala. That’s because Prime Minister Barrow says he just may hire him in some capacity in the very near future.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“In terms of Dr. Shoman the question of his removal by the P.U.P. is a matter for him and the P.U.P.  We do think that Assad has a great deal of knowledge, a great deal of expertise with respect to this issue. And we will look to see if there is not some professional capacity in which the Government of Belize might employ his services. I see in one interview he gave he said that he has always made it plain to me that he is available, and that I haven’t used him. Well Assad we certainly will talk. I think it’s time we talk now and I perfectly understand him saying to the P.U.P. well you have appointed me but I am not a P.U.P.  Well it’s not the U.D.P. that will appoint him if we do proceed. It is the government of Belize and he is a citizen of Belize. I am saying that I am perfectly prepared to work something out with him that will see him lend his remunerated services to the issue.”