And coming up we'll tell you about that frightening flash flood story from Cayo, but first we turn to some politics. As we've reported, immigration agent turned whistleblower Alverine Burgess has alleged that when she went to the US Embassy, a staffer there played back conversations that she'd had with Belize Rural North Representative Edmund Castro. Castro told us he doesn't believe Burgess. But what does the National Security Minister think? He's the highest ranking public official dealing with the US on security matters, and he said it would be "regrettable" if it were true:..
Jules Vasquez
"As a National Security Minister, are you aware of the US engage in any electronic surveillance, electronic intercept or wired tapping activities in Belize?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"Absolutely not and if it is occurring we would be saddened to know that that has occurred, but no, we are not aware of such occurring."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you be speaking with your counterpart or whoever is your contact, the Liaison at the Embassy to ask them pointedly if they are conducting electronic surveillance of officials and private citizens in Belize?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"All we've heard from so far is from one, Alverine Burgess to whom I give no credibility at this point."
Jules Vasquez
"However, it would be (I don't know the individual) a quite fantastical thing to make up to say that you were taken in a room, put there for 3 hours and given an affidavit to sign. The US Embassy is not an organization that one often lies about in public. That would seem to lend her allegation some credibility."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"I think certainly we would be waiting to hear if there is a response from the US Embassy on this matter since the allegations have been made against them, but at this point like I said it has only come from a source that we don't believe credible and until we have other information then we will give it some credence."
Jules Vasquez
"But you will not personally be seeking a response."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"At this point, no."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it something that personally concerns you in your conduct if your phone calls are being monitored?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"All I am saying at this point is that the source that has made the accusation is not credible, but if it were to be confirmed that such is happening it would be regrettable."
As we've reported, based on disclosures made by former NSA spy turned whistleblower, German media has reported that the US Embassy in Berlin had listened in on calls made by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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