Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELMOPAN169
2008-03-19 22:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:
BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBE #0169 0792217 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192217Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1195 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000169
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL SOCI BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA
UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000169
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL SOCI BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA
1. (U) Summary. On March 14, the new Government of Belize proposed a
legislative plan that focused on government reform, education,
health, and crime. The announced reform agenda seeks to combat
corruption and institutionalize transparency. The plan also included
new and expanded programs and services that may be impeded by a lack
of available funding and resources. End Summary.
2. (U) In the opening parliamentary session to seat the new House of
Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government delivered a
blueprint for change. On March 14, in a speech read by the Governor
General, the United Democratic Party (UDP) proposed a plan that
focused on government reform, education, health, and crime.
--------------
GOVERNMENT REFORMS
--------------
3. (U) Plans for the first House session were extensive and
suggested numerous reforms including the right to recall elected
representatives and allow for a mechanism to impeach the Prime
Minister. The speech called for a revision of the Freedom of
Information Act to allow for the disclosure of information on
government contracts, operations, and projects. The UDP planned to
empower the Senate to initiate and conduct investigations into
mismanagement or corruption by public officials. Additionally, in a
conciliatory gesture, the elected representatives from both sides of
the House will be allotted a fair allocation of funds to enable them
to serve their constituencies. The speech stated that legislation
regarding Senate reform, secret government contracts, conflict of
interest, and nepotism would all be addressed in the first session.
It is unclear if the proposed plan to punish unjust enrichment by
public officials would apply to recent wrongdoing of the previous
government or would only be prospective.
--------------
Crime and Prosecution
--------------
4. (U) The speech addressed new criminal standards to be enacted
including the establishment of a special "Gun Court" to focus on
crimes involving the possession or use of guns and ammunition.
Drugs, violence, and effective prosecution were also focused on as
areas for improvement. To this end, the anti-drug unit will be
strengthened with improved mobility, training, and intelligence
gathering to deal not only with drug dealers, but also with the
illegal gun trade. A Gang Violence Prevention Unit within the police
department will be established and the Office of the Ombudsman will
be empowered to investigate wrongdoing and negligence on the part of
the Department of Public Prosecution. Additionally, the Internal
Affairs Department of the police will be improved to strengthen
investigative abilities and the police department will be
accountable to a Civilian Oversight Board.
--------------
Education and Health
--------------
5. (U) Health reforms will focus on preventive care, public health
education, and the removal of General Sales Tax from medical service
and medications. A national school feeding program will be
introduced and the Government plans to expand compulsory education
from eight to ten years. National education standards will be used
to identify under-performing schools and position teachers to assist
students who are falling behind. A plan was put forward to provide
access to high-quality preschool programs, particularly in
disadvantaged areas and to provide financial incentives for teachers
to upgrade their professional qualifications.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (U) The problem with the proposed reforms will be the lack of
resources. For example, the Government has committed to maintaining
the National Health Insurance program costing some Bz$38 million
dollars annually even though there are no funds currently allocated
to the budget and no identifiable future source of funding. Plans
to address issues of corruption and transparency are welcome and
well overdue.
HILL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL SOCI BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA
1. (U) Summary. On March 14, the new Government of Belize proposed a
legislative plan that focused on government reform, education,
health, and crime. The announced reform agenda seeks to combat
corruption and institutionalize transparency. The plan also included
new and expanded programs and services that may be impeded by a lack
of available funding and resources. End Summary.
2. (U) In the opening parliamentary session to seat the new House of
Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government delivered a
blueprint for change. On March 14, in a speech read by the Governor
General, the United Democratic Party (UDP) proposed a plan that
focused on government reform, education, health, and crime.
--------------
GOVERNMENT REFORMS
--------------
3. (U) Plans for the first House session were extensive and
suggested numerous reforms including the right to recall elected
representatives and allow for a mechanism to impeach the Prime
Minister. The speech called for a revision of the Freedom of
Information Act to allow for the disclosure of information on
government contracts, operations, and projects. The UDP planned to
empower the Senate to initiate and conduct investigations into
mismanagement or corruption by public officials. Additionally, in a
conciliatory gesture, the elected representatives from both sides of
the House will be allotted a fair allocation of funds to enable them
to serve their constituencies. The speech stated that legislation
regarding Senate reform, secret government contracts, conflict of
interest, and nepotism would all be addressed in the first session.
It is unclear if the proposed plan to punish unjust enrichment by
public officials would apply to recent wrongdoing of the previous
government or would only be prospective.
--------------
Crime and Prosecution
--------------
4. (U) The speech addressed new criminal standards to be enacted
including the establishment of a special "Gun Court" to focus on
crimes involving the possession or use of guns and ammunition.
Drugs, violence, and effective prosecution were also focused on as
areas for improvement. To this end, the anti-drug unit will be
strengthened with improved mobility, training, and intelligence
gathering to deal not only with drug dealers, but also with the
illegal gun trade. A Gang Violence Prevention Unit within the police
department will be established and the Office of the Ombudsman will
be empowered to investigate wrongdoing and negligence on the part of
the Department of Public Prosecution. Additionally, the Internal
Affairs Department of the police will be improved to strengthen
investigative abilities and the police department will be
accountable to a Civilian Oversight Board.
--------------
Education and Health
--------------
5. (U) Health reforms will focus on preventive care, public health
education, and the removal of General Sales Tax from medical service
and medications. A national school feeding program will be
introduced and the Government plans to expand compulsory education
from eight to ten years. National education standards will be used
to identify under-performing schools and position teachers to assist
students who are falling behind. A plan was put forward to provide
access to high-quality preschool programs, particularly in
disadvantaged areas and to provide financial incentives for teachers
to upgrade their professional qualifications.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (U) The problem with the proposed reforms will be the lack of
resources. For example, the Government has committed to maintaining
the National Health Insurance program costing some Bz$38 million
dollars annually even though there are no funds currently allocated
to the budget and no identifiable future source of funding. Plans
to address issues of corruption and transparency are welcome and
well overdue.
HILL