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