Earlier on we had some fiery highlights from today's budget debate. And while those were the more heated moments, there were also some humorous ones - with former Prime Minister Said Musa playing the court jester.
It was only tangentially connected to the budget but he regaled the house gallery and representative with a story about three horses and some unlucky soldiers.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa - Area Representative, Fort George
"The other issue I want to raise, Mr. Speaker, is that our nation's future sovereignty and security is facing yet another very serious challenge. This is the daily erosion taking place with illegal incursions into our protected areas along the border with Guatemala. And the Belize Defence Force, that is charged with the responsibility of patrolling and protecting our borders. They have to travel miles into the jungle, Mr. Speaker, to carry out their very important task. Well, we know that the British Government has withdrawn all their helicopters, which greatly facilitated this important exercise. And what are they doing? They're using horses, yes horses, to ferry their heavy equipment and rations in the jungle. According, Mr. Speaker - I am saying this because it needs to be said. According to a reliable account, 3 of these horses were confiscated from illegal Guatemalan settlers. So, they were commissioned to do the heavy lifting. When the horse reached the Guatemalan border, they bolted, and galloped straight over the border, back home to Guatemala, along with the BDF provisions. Mr. Speaker, if this was not so comical, it would be a tragedy. It's this kind of farce that makes us look bad, makes us a laughing stock. I would say this, since we're now looking to the US Government - they did help us with the Coast Guard, with vessels - why not ask the Pentagon to help us with at least one helicopter, Mr. Speaker."
While it is charming, we were unable to confirm if the anecdote is accurate...
Musa also had a few blows for the new Ministry of national security spokesperson Delroy Cuthklevin - and he proved he is not above making a fat joke...
Rt. Hon. Said Musa
"The Government's chief propagandist, Delroy Cuthkelvin, who's role - according to him - is yet to be properly defined, well you know when I watched Delroy on the TV, I was wondering, what he's been doing over the last 4 years, how he has become such an endomorph, Mr. Speaker."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte - Speaker of the House
"I will welcome a point of order on that, Member from Fort George."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa
"Southeast winced."
Today's house debate ended at 5:30 and continues tomorrow...
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