Seven ministers resign from Belize Cabinet
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
BELMOPAN, Belize: Seven Ministers of the
Belize government, including the Deputy Prime Minister, resigned their Cabinet
posts on Monday.
A letter was delivered to the Prime
Minister, signed by all seven, including Deputy Prime Minister John Briceno,
Works Minister Jose Coye, Tourism Minister Mark Espat, Trade Minister Eamon
Courtenay, Housing Minister Cordel Hyde, Agriculture Minister Servulo Baeza,
and Foreign Minister Godfrey Smith.
The letter said, "In the best interest of
the nation and party, we feel obliged to submit our resignation effective
immediately to allow you the latitude to exercise your best judgment in the
appointment of a new Cabinet."
The Cabinet Secretary, Robert Leslie, has
given the only statement from the Government:
"Today, August 16, 2004, the Prime Minister received the resignations of seven
members of Cabinet. These resignations will not affect the proper functioning
of the Government as the Prime Minister retains oversight responsibility for
the Ministries involved. I have already informed the Chief Executive Officers
concerned in my capacity as Cabinet Secretary that in these circumstances they
are directly responsible to the Prime Minister, and no one else, for the
management of their ministries." "The
Ministers who submitted their resignations broke with Cabinet protocol by
making their disagreements public and making public demands on the Prime
Minister. The proper procedure would have been to resign first. By submitting
their resignations in writing, they have now acted appropriately and in the
best interest of the nation. This will allow the Prime Minister the
opportunity to advise His Excellency the Governor General to appoint a new
Cabinet. The Prime Minister will announce the names of the new Cabinet at an
appropriate time."
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