So, while the Government has to find 67 million US dollars, the Ashcroft Alliance will refund them that first payment of about 130 million Belize dollars. You'll remember it as the payment that the started this currency fight before the CCJ. They wanted that money to be in US dollars, and so they are willing to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Today, Eamon Courtenay, attorney for the Alliance, told us the quicker, the better:
Denys Barrow, SC- Attorney for GOB
"The Belize dollar portion has to be paid back. The contention of the Ashcroft group is that Government ought never to have paid that sum in Belize dollars. Therefore, they will accept implicitly that they are not entitled to that sum in Belize dollars. They want it in Belize dollars. They will be happy to give it back, and they have made that plain from the beginning."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Sir, the portion in Belize currency that was paid to your clients, will that be returned?"
Eamon Courtenay, SC - Attorney for GOB
"Believe me, I will be the happiest person when that cheque is signed, and that money is out of our client's account. It should never have been paid over. It was in Belize dollars, and we're ready to pay it back."
The CCJ has also ordered the Government to pay the costs of this lawsuit. The two sides are hoping that when the time comes for next year's payment, there will be no dispute about how that installment will be done.
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