Political drama: Sopranos or Scooby Doo?
It?s a drama in which the last act keeps being re-written…and the actors don?t know if it?s an episode of the Sopranos or Scooby Doo. The fate of the gang of seven continues to hang in the balance tonight, as latest word out of Belmopan is that “discussions continue”. At two twenty this afternoon, former Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Briceno, ex-Ministers Servulo Baeza, Eamon Courtenay, Jose Coye, Mark Espat, Cordel Hyde, and Godfrey Smith, met with Prime Minister Said Musa in Belmopan. It should be noted that the chat was held in his personal office, as sources in the capital indicate that although the initial plan was to meet in the Cabinet room, the fear was that the self-exiled would have felt too much “at home.” Shoehorned in the PM?s personal space and sitting in on the meeting was Musa?s son Yasser and the PM?s best friend, Ambassador to Cuba Assad Shoman. The meeting lasted approximately forty-five minutes. As for what was said, we have been told that several compromise proposals were presented, but with no agreement in sight, the dissidents left to discuss their options in private. A timetable was then agreed to with the group scheduled to return at four. As soon as they left, Finance Minister Ralph Fonseca, who had been in the building all day, went in to meet with the Prime Minister. But as the appointed hour drew near, the seven called the PM?s office, asking for more time. At four thirty, News 5 was informed that if the ex-Ministers decided not to accept the PM?s package of proposals, which include their reappointment in cabinet, but with some changes in portfolios, the PM would be forced to go to Plan B; meaning the appointment of a new cabinet. We understand that that list of names has been formalized but not publicized. Meanwhile, the seven Samurai remain with swords drawn and continue to pressure the PM to remove Finance Minister Ralph Fonseca from the cabinet. According to Cabinet Secretary Bobby Leslie, meetings which reconvened earlier this evening at the PM?s office, were continued in the hope is that “this matter will be cleared up today”. At news time, the politicians were still in session, and while the outcome is uncertain, we are informed that sometime on Wednesday the Prime Minister will once again address the nation, this time to announce the composition of his cabinet. Whether that body will be new brand or new brand second hand is anybody?s guess.
