B.T.B.: political leaders agree to Sept. truce

If this year’s September celebrations have a different look, it may be because the undertaking is largely being organised–and financed–by the Belize Tourism Board. But aside from B.T.B.’s well-known institutional strengths, it appears that the tourism folks also have some stick with the politicians. Today Tourism Minister Mark Espat told News 5 that both Prime Minister Said Musa and Opposition Leader Dean Barrow have agreed to keep political mudslinging out of the September agenda. That is no small feat considering that traditionally the Independence Day address has been an occasion for the bitterest of red and blue rhetoric. This year, according to a B.T.B. release, both political leaders will deliver speeches that reflect the importance of national unity and patriotism. That message of reconciliation is also being relayed to politicians at the district and local levels in the hope that the mood will spread nationwide.