CHAIRMAN OF DFC COMMISSION OF INQUIRY DIES IN CUBA

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000075

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN (MACK)

TREASURY FOR IA/WHA (LEVINE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EINV PGOV BH
SUBJECT: CHAIRMAN OF DFC COMMISSION OF INQUIRY DIES IN CUBA

REF: A. Belize 973 B. Belize 678


1. On December 13, local media reported that David Price, Chairman
of the Commission of Inquiry charged with investigating the
financial dealings of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC),
died in Cuba. Price, who suffered from diabetes, flew by air
ambulance to Cuba on November 13 to seek treatment for complications
from the disease. Merlene Bailey-Martinez, another DFC Commission
member, told local news that the diabetes led to renal failure and
heart problems, which ultimately caused his death.


2. The DFC public hearings have been delayed or postponed since
September, when the Commission took a break for the month-long
celebrations in honor of Belize's 25th anniversary of independence.
Shortly thereafter, Price became ill and was in and out of local
hospitals before traveling to Cuba for treatment. Bailey-Martinez
and Commission member and judge Herbert Lord have been conducting
sporadic in-camera sessions since then.


3. Although the Commission originally expected to complete its
inquiries by the end of the year, the frequent delays and now
Price's death have changed all that. Karim Berges, former president
of the Association of Concerned Belizeans (a civic organization that
encourages government transparency) and close follower of DFC
developments, told poloff that Bailey-Martinez and Lord will move
forward with the hearings, but do not expect to conclude until the
end of January. Berges also said that although Price's death is a
blow to the inquiry process, he does not believe it will adversely
impact its results or how they are received by the public. Berges
fully expects the Commission to conclude that corruption was rampant
in DFC offices, and hopes that several high-ranking individuals will
be prosecuted once the findings are publicized.


4. Comment. Because Commissioners Bailey-Martinez and Lord have
continued to investigate privately the workings of the DFC, the
death of Chairman David Price - while unfortunate - should not cause
the hearings to conclude prematurely. However, Price was the "face"
of these hearings (at least for the media) and it is unclear whether
a Commission led by Bailey-Martinez and Lord will garner the same
level of attention. A more pressing concern is what - if any -
actions law enforcement and prosecutors will take as a result of the
Commission's findings. End comment.