FINAL CABLE FROM BELIZE CITY

UNCLAS BELIZE 001047 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/CEN, JASON MACK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABLD ASEC PREL BH SUBJECT: FINAL CABLE FROM BELIZE CITY ¶1. This cable marks the closing of the era of U.S. diplomatic and consular representation in Belize City. After nearly 160 years in this small town on the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Embassy and staff will relocate 55 miles inland up a two-lane road into the rainforest to the capital city, Belmopan. ¶2. With the move to a new, modern chancery we lock and leave for the final time what we believe to be the only remaining wooden American Embassy. The structure was originally erected in 1866 in New England, and was knocked down and sent as ballast in freighters to Belize City where it was reassembled and served as a private home until 1930 when the USG purchased it. The first U.S. Consul to work in the building, G. Russell Taggart, was swept out to sea in 1931 during a hurricane and his body was never recovered. Subsequent Consuls lived "above the store" on the second floor of the building until it was raised to an Embassy in 1981 when Belize, then called British Honduras, became independent. ¶3. The building has withstood extensive damage over the years. The storm surge from Hurricane Hattie in 1961 was over 12 feet, flooding the ground floor; mud from Hurricane Greta in 1978 was more than a foot deep; and a neighborhood fire in 2000 came perilously close to burning the building to the ground. In addition, termites have worked diligently to finish what storms, flood and fire could not. But constant maintenance by a dedicated staff has helped the building withstand the worst that nature could throw at her, and she continues to exude a Victorian-era charm that we will surely miss in our new surroundings. A recent photo of the old building and staff is at http://belize.state.gov. ¶4. We expect Embassy Belmopan to be open for business after the Thanksgiving holiday. The official dedication ceremony is scheduled for December 11. DIETER