7 News Belize

Hon. Fonseca Met With Lord Aschroft?
posted (November 12, 2014)

We also had to ask the Leader of Opposition about reports reaching our news room that he had a meeting with Lord Michael Aschroft.

We understand that they dined in the Radisson Fort George Hotel's Dining Room, and that they had a lengthy conversation.

Today, Fonseca didn't exactly say that he did have that meeting, and he didn't categorically deny it either. He did say that he reserves the right to meet with Ashcroft, with the understanding that if his party should take over Government, BTL will remain in the hands of the public:

Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition

"I have no difficulty at all speaking to Mr. Ashcroft, he's an investor in Belize; But he has not, certainly since I became party leader of the PUP has not offered any financial support to the PUP and has not expressed any interest in offering any financial support to the party. Let me make it clear and I repeat this position that when it comes to the public utilities, BTL in particular. Under a PUP government, under my leadership, BTL will remain a public entity, majority owned by the state and people of Belize. There is absolutely no compromise in that position."

Of course, it's highly doubtful that Ashcroft wants back BTL at this juncture – but the Ashcroft Alliance surely does want compensation which it says should be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, while the Barrow administration has the figure pegged at somewhere near 70 million dollars.

Ashcroft is considered the most influential campaign financier in recent political history, substantially bankrolling a PUP landslide in 1998 and the same for the UDP in 2008.

Reports suggest that he has been at best lukewarm to the PUP so far, but municipal election are fast approaching and that relationship could warm up.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize