BELMOPAN: PLANNED PROTESTS AND STRIKE SCHDULED

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000179

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC,
DEPT FOR CA/OCS, WHA/CEN - Jason Mack

GUATEMALA FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV ELAB BH
SUBJECT: BELMOPAN: PLANNED PROTESTS AND STRIKE SCHDULED

REF: 05 Belize 55


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Belize's national unions have planned a protest
at the Belize National Assembly this morning, March 16, 2007, during
scheduled budget debates. Radio announcements last night stated the
nationwide strikes that had been discussed would also commence.
While the size of the protest is not known and should not be
violent, it is of concern because the last protest of this type in
2005 turned violent (REFTEL). The Embassy is now located in
Belmopan, approximately 1 km from the planned protest site. In
planning for the contingency of the protest turning violent and/or
moving toward the Embassy, Mission members and families have been
instructed as to precautions and phased reactions. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The strikes and protests have been threatened for some time,
and stem from the firing of Belize Telephone Limited (BTL)
employees, and then the union representative. Various unions'
issues have mushroomed to the current condition Utility strikes
will interrupt telephone traffic; the impact of other utility
strikes will depend on the length of time: the effect of short term
strikes could be mitigated by Embassy and Housing Compound backup
generators, fuel and water reserves.


3. (U) The last time a protest turned violent was in Belmopan;
since the Embassy's recent move to Belmopan, today's event is more a
security concern. While the likelihood of violence is low, as is
the chance of the protest moving the approximate 1 km to the
Embassy, planning for the possibility began as soon as the protest
was announced.


3. (SBU) A previous potential protest prompted a Security Notice, as
has the one scheduled for today. The increased likelihood of
today's protest combined with announced strikes prompted reaction
plans being briefed to Surveillance Detection and Local Guards, and
family members being briefed. The protest will be monitored, and if
movement towards the Embassy or Housing Compound begins, staged
reactions will occur. All actions will be coordinated with local
police. The contracted local guard force has been briefed on their
required actions.


4. (U) POC is RSO Patrick Harms at 011-501-822-4011 ext 4007.

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