Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELMOPAN140
2008-03-12 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:
BELIZE RESPONSE TO REPORT ON FISCAL TRANSPARENCY
how-toVZCZCXRO2866 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHBE #0140 0721511 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 121511Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1152 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICA COLLECTIVE RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000140
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/OMA (ANDREW SNOW AND RICHARD FIGUEROA),WHA/CEN
(ROIS BEAL),WHA/EPSC (PETER MAIER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE RESPONSE TO REPORT ON FISCAL TRANSPARENCY
REF: State 16737
UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000140
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/OMA (ANDREW SNOW AND RICHARD FIGUEROA),WHA/CEN
(ROIS BEAL),WHA/EPSC (PETER MAIER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE RESPONSE TO REPORT ON FISCAL TRANSPARENCY
REF: State 16737
1. (SBU) The government of Belize publishes its annual budget on a
compact disk that is made available upon request. It also publishes
a summary of the budget on the government of Belize website.
Revenues and expenditures are documented on the disk and website.
However, politics often appears to play a role and all revenues and
expenditures may not be included transparently in these
publications, so the reliability is questionable.
2. (SBU) General elections were held in Belize on February 7 and
resulted in a change in governing party. The previous government
was repeatedly accused of corrupt activities, but no public
officials have thus far been prosecuted for corruption-linked
crimes. Lack of transparency has increased in recent years and both
resource constraints and a general unwillingness to reveal details
about government activities contributed to this. However, the
government elected in early February has promised to open the books
to the public and to ensure accountability.
3. (SBU) The U.S. provided an ethics speaker in 2007 and
consistently raised awareness during outreach events of the need for
greater transparency and accountability. Post is unaware of other
programs offered by other donor countries regarding transparency.
4. (SBU) Belize has volunteered for the IMF to report on the
country's compliance with standards and codes covering fiscal
transparency. According to their website, the IMF visited Belize in
December 2007 for the review.
DIETER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/OMA (ANDREW SNOW AND RICHARD FIGUEROA),WHA/CEN
(ROIS BEAL),WHA/EPSC (PETER MAIER)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE RESPONSE TO REPORT ON FISCAL TRANSPARENCY
REF: State 16737
1. (SBU) The government of Belize publishes its annual budget on a
compact disk that is made available upon request. It also publishes
a summary of the budget on the government of Belize website.
Revenues and expenditures are documented on the disk and website.
However, politics often appears to play a role and all revenues and
expenditures may not be included transparently in these
publications, so the reliability is questionable.
2. (SBU) General elections were held in Belize on February 7 and
resulted in a change in governing party. The previous government
was repeatedly accused of corrupt activities, but no public
officials have thus far been prosecuted for corruption-linked
crimes. Lack of transparency has increased in recent years and both
resource constraints and a general unwillingness to reveal details
about government activities contributed to this. However, the
government elected in early February has promised to open the books
to the public and to ensure accountability.
3. (SBU) The U.S. provided an ethics speaker in 2007 and
consistently raised awareness during outreach events of the need for
greater transparency and accountability. Post is unaware of other
programs offered by other donor countries regarding transparency.
4. (SBU) Belize has volunteered for the IMF to report on the
country's compliance with standards and codes covering fiscal
transparency. According to their website, the IMF visited Belize in
December 2007 for the review.
DIETER