Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELMOPAN109
2008-02-21 22:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:  

BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT REQUESTS LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tags:  PREL SNAR SOCI PINR ASEC BH 
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VZCZCXYZ0018
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBE #0109 0522224
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 212224Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1114
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 0021
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0160
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0129
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L BELMOPAN 000109 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CEN - R. BEAL, INL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL SNAR SOCI PINR ASEC BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT REQUESTS LAW ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE

Classified By: Ambassador Robert J. Dieter for reason 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELMOPAN 000109

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CEN - R. BEAL, INL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL SNAR SOCI PINR ASEC BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT REQUESTS LAW ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE

Classified By: Ambassador Robert J. Dieter for reason 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) During the Ambassador's initial meeting with Prime
Minister Dean Barrow (reported septel),the PM made a pitch
for wireless intercept equipment for the Police Special
Branch. He said that the capability was essential to
anti-drug and anti-gang efforts in Belize. In response we
noted that a similar request had been made by the previous
government. The capability the police were looking for was
fairly expensive, and more importantly Belize's legislation
governing communications intercepts was antiquated and could
be read to prohibit such activity. Barrow said that he was
open to ideas on implementing legislation that would provide
for oversight and approval of wiretap and intercept requests
and noted that the new government enjoys a majority that
enables it to amend the constitution if necessary.


2. (C) Barrow acknowledged the cost of the intercept
equipment, and said that if it were too expensive for us to
provide that we consider instead equipping the National
Forensic Lab with DNA as well as ballistics analysis
capability. We noted that the USG has provided some DNA
training as well as equipment for the lab including a
comparison microscope for ballistics.


3. (C) Separately, National Security Minister Carlos
Perdomo told the Ambassador that he was looking at the idea
of requesting assistance to polygraph police officers as a
way to begin weeding out corrupt members of the force. His
new Chief Executive Officer (Deputy Minister equivalent),
retiring Belize Defense Force Commander Lloyd Gillett, has
previously requested USG assistance in polygraphing members
of the counter-terrorist unit. They intend to review gun
permitting controls and raised the need for ballistics
testing as a way of identifying licensed firearms.


4. (C) COMMENT: Initial meetings with the new government
have given some encouraging signs of a serious commitment to
tackle crime and corruption problems. We were not
enthusiastic about the previous government acquiring
communications intercept technology because of the lack of
oversight and the possibility that it would be used for
purposes other than law enforcement or national security
intelligence collection. If Barrow carries through with new
legislation that offers the prospect of the equipment being
used strictly as intended we believe the idea is definitely
worthy of consideration. We have supported and helped equip
the Forensic Lab in a number of areas including ballistics
capability but more assistance may be needed to fully develop
the lab's ballistics capability. We consider the lab to be a
very worthwhile organization, but whether developing DNA
capability is the most effective use of money right now is
not clear. The proposal to vet police officers could be a
very cost-effective way to weed out corruption and we believe
we should seize this opportunity. END COMMENT.
DIETER