Tourism Minister Manuel Junior Heredia is a has become more famous for his recent facebook photos than for his work as a government minister. And why not? He and his wife are seen posing off with celebrities, and looking like celebrities themselves, he in a dashing tuxedo and she in an elegant gown.
But, they were in Cannes at the invite - and expense account - of the developers of a controversial project, Puerto Azul. They wined and dined the minister which has led to the legitimate question of whether he's given the project a green light.
So, after today's house meeting we asked him the tough, even indelicate questions:..
Jules Vasquez
"What has been made of your trip to Cannes and that you were there and the investors paid. How would you respond to the criticism you've been wine and dine by these investors and they bought your approval?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"Jules, you know me better than everybody else, this is one of the most honest politician that exist in this country I think. We went over there yes on an invitation by Puerto Azul to look at a model concept that they had. What Minister Hulse said is exactly what I can say, government had just - for the EIA to be done. That hopefully will take a couple months to be completed then these people will come back to this sub-committee again to present the results. We cannot answer that at this point because we have reached to that extent at this time."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you support it, gone to Cannes?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"Well a model concept and what.... is two different things you know. The only thing that I can tell you I don't even know if this will succeed or not, but whatever the case, exposure the country has gotten BTB or the government could have never paid for that exposure."
Jules Vasquez
"You have accepted a gift from them which was going over, I imagine they paid for you and...."
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"Well Jules, wherever even if........... let us go to ....... and have dinner and have this meeting. What is wrong with that?"
Jules Vasquez
"But France is not San Pedro."
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"You know very well they can do whatever they want, but at the end of the day nobody can buy me. There is not a soul that can tell me that I have been bought ....any particular thing. I am a humble honest politician."
Jules Vasquez
"So when the vote comes in the Cabinet if they say it pass EIA and does the Cabinet approved, will you then be swayed by the fact that - those people put me up in a nice hotel, my wife and I was there, I think it was your anniversary or your birthday?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"That was a separate thing. That wasn't during the presentation. But what i can tell you is that this particular Minister of Tourism, whatever the case, I love the environment, I love the reef more than you than anyone one of you, that was my living. That is part of my life. Whatever comes that will damage any part of that reef I will be the first one to oppose."
Jules Vasquez
"So then I am saying, I just want to be clear, when the vote comes where will you stand on it? Are you with it or will you look at the evidence soundly?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"When it comes we will look at evidence. If I see that it's something that will be harmful then what is my job? to make sure that if it will harm I will oppose it. If it is in the good interest of the country and the Belizean people then I will support it."
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