BELIZE RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: MERIDA INITIATIVE

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000168 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL, HILLARY THOMPSON, WHA/MEX - ROB MCCUTCHEON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PREL PTER SNAR BH SUBJECT: BELIZE RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: MERIDA INITIATIVE REF: STATE 26799 ¶1. (U) On February 19 to 21st, Ambassador Dieter and DCM Hill conducted initial meetings following general elections in early February with high-level ministers including the new Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of National Security. During these meetings, the importance of the Merida Initiative was discussed per reftel. ¶2. (U) Per reftel's paragraph 5, Post submits two host government officials' names who could effectively brief Congressional members about the urgent need for Merida Initiative cooperation given the crime and drug situations in Belize. The officials are Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security and Lloyd Gillett, CEO Ministry of National Security. HILL