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14 August, 2012: GOB Defaults on Bond Coupon Payment

The People’s United Party notes with grave concern the decision of the UDP Government to announce that Belize will not be making the August 20, 2012 Coupon payment due on the 2029 Bond.

The Leader of the Opposition was neither consulted on or informed of this very critical decision which has very serious implications for Belize’s economy and development.

During the Budget debate for 2012/13 the Nation was led to believe that the government had budgeted for this payment and would be honoring the August 20, 2012 payment.

We call on the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to immediately address and inform the Nation on the specific reasons for the decision and the consequences and implications expected to follow.

It remains our hope that the Bond Restructuring exercise currently underway is successful.

Our party will continue to monitor this process very closely

14 August, 2012: National Service Day

At a recently convened meeting of the National Executive of the People’s United Party (PUP), the Executive reviewed, discussed and unanimously agreed to support the initiative of the George Price Center for Peace and Development to commemorate the life, work, dedication and service of the late Rt. Hon. George Price by declaring the 19th of September as “National Service Day”.

As proposed by the Center, leaders and members of the PUP will pay tribute to the legacy of the Father of the Nation by carrying out community service projects and delivering his message of making a positive change through hard work and service to the people of Belize, in keeping with the PUP motto “Serve the People”.

In addition to setting aside a day of national service, the PUP has also resolved to press the government to declare the 15th of January a national holiday to mark the birth of a true Belizean patriot, a leader who loved his country unconditionally and above all things, the man who led our nation to independence and dedicated his entire life to the betterment of all Belizeans.

AUGUST 13, 2012: PRESS RELEASE
FROM: PUP LEADER FRANCIS FONSECA
RE: THE BELIZE TIMES PRESS LTD.

Upon assuming leadership of the People’s United Party in October 2011, I immediately recognized and appreciated that The Belize Times Press Ltd was not financially viable in its existing structure and operations, and represented a growing financial liability on the PUP.

The intervening election campaign prevented me from taking the actions necessary to protect the Party’s assets and financial stability.

Following the March elections I directed the Party Chairman to carry out a full review and assessment of the operations of The Belize Times Press Ltd.

That review made it absolutely clear that the existing structure, operations and business model were outdated, wasteful and unsustainable.

The state of Belize’s economy added to the challenges faced and like so many businesses in Belize today, The Belize Times Press ltd has been operating at a loss for the past few years and is no longer able to sustain those losses.

Some ten days ago I made the difficult but unavoidable decision to release 5 members of the Belize Times staff and family.

This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make as PUP leader and given the challenges faced over the past few months that should be a telling admission of the sincere appreciation and respect I and our Party have for these employees.

I subsequently advised the Party Chairman and Board of Directors of The Belize Times Press Ltd of my decision and requested that they act on that decision.

That action came on Friday, August 10, 2012.

I regret greatly that this decision and action became necessary and offer my personal apologies, as I did in person to each of them on Friday, to these employees if they feel in anyway unfairly treated.

I have been advised that all employees affected by the decision have received benefits and entitlements due to them in accordance with labor law.

I take full responsibility for this decision. Our Party and I owe these employees and friends a great responsibility, but as Party Leader I owe an even greater responsibility to the members of our Party who as shareholders in the PUP are demanding that the financial affairs of our Party be administered with a greater sense of responsibility, accountability, and efficiency.

The Belize Times Newspaper is available online at www.belizetimes.bz until further notice.

PUP Press Conference
June 12, 2012
Independence Hall
Opening Statement by Party Leader Hon Francis Fonseca
A pleasant good morning. Thank you all for being here. Allow me to begin by first extending on behalf of the People’s United Party, our continued best wishes to Mrs. Kim Barrow, P.M. Barrow and their family as they continue their very challenging battle against breast cancer… read more

PUP
Position on the Sugar Industry
Tuesday, 12th June, 2012
Independence Hall, Belize City

The People’s United Party is not in a position to support the purchase of the sugar factory by American Sugars yet. We need to know much more, and GOB has to be
more forthcoming in the details of this deal. As it is right now, this is a complete reversal of all the hard work that the People’s United Party exerted in an effort to
maintain the factory in Belizean hands only to have it be handed back to its former colonial owners – a move that sets us back half a century. read more

PUP PRESS CONFERENCE
June 12, 2012
Statement on Health
By Hon Marco Tulio Mendez
My fellow Belizeans today I come to speak to you about some issues in the Health Sector, unfortunately health care, a basic human right is being neglected. After consultation with my colleagues and allies in Public Health Services across the country, I was disheartened.  readmore