Yesterday, the Prime Minister also commented on those now immortal remarks by Lake I Representative and Minister of State Mark King. Two weeks ago, speaking in reference to a job opportunities at Norwegian Cruise Lines, he told 7News that he would wish it to be UDP first, Belizeans second and PUP last. Now - as they say - that is how it's set up, from the days of Price to Barrow. But, still, it's not a politically prudent remark, and the PM said yesterday, it's no way to govern:..
Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"That is not the official policy of this government. The official policy of this government is to treat Belizeans as equally as possible and to try to be a government for all - that in the details, in the operation of the system we will not reach nirvana is a given, life is real. But there is a difference between making errors in that regard and actually saying that it is a policy to discriminate. Such a policy cannot and will not be the policy of the United Democratic Party government."
In that plain spoken interview, King also spoke candidly about his security firm, "Brints" - and how he hopes the company does secure a contract with Norwegian Cruise lines. The Prime Minister didn't back pedal on that one; he said King has all rights to protect and advance his business interests:
Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"In terms of Minister King, now that's a different matter, he has a security firm. He is not seeking to get a contract from government - that is where there would be a difficulty. If he did so in a way that did not ensure the complete insulation of any influence he might have as a minister with respect to the award of a government contract, but his business continues. My law firm continues, I am not there and I don't go about seeking business for the law firm. But whoever is running a security outfit has every right in the name of the company to put in a bid for services that are being contracted by a private outfit. I would hope that NCL would know that in determining who to give their contract to they should not be influenced in the least by the fact that one of the bidders is a company owned by Mark King - that should not cut any ice. They must operate on merit and their project in any event has been green lighted, so it's not as though they can feel "we better give Mark King otherwise government will stop the project" - that's been green lighted."
"Lord man, if the man's company can't get government contracts, you will also say that he can't get private contracts? What is it to get then - the company has a right to continue."
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