WHA/CEN DIRECTOR WEBSTER'S MEETINGS IN BELIZE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELMOPAN 000119

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON OAS BH
SUBJECT: WHA/CEN DIRECTOR WEBSTER'S MEETINGS IN BELIZE


1. (U) SUMMARY: WHA/CEN Office Director Christopher Webster met
with Belize government officials, a Hand in Hand Ministries
official, and American Chamber of Commerce board members on March 5
and 6 to discuss bilateral and regional issues including security
and the Merida Initiative, the Guatemala/Belize border dispute,
HIV/AIDs in the region, and the challenges facing American business
people in Belize. Webster underscored the strong relationship
between Belize and the U.S. during his meetings with the Minister of
National Security, the CEO of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the
Police Commissioner. He concluded his visit with a trip to the
Adjacency Zone to observe first-hand OAS efforts to manage the
sometimes contentious Belize-Guatemala border dispute and the
cross-border activities that have taken place in recent months. END
SUMMARY.

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Regional Security and the Merida Initiative
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2. (U) Webster underscored the strong relationship between Belize
and the U.S. during his meetings with the Minister of National
Security, the CEO of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Police
Commissioner. Carlos Perdomo, the Minister of National Security,
stated that the GOB is trying to implement the recommendations from
an independent consultant who recently assessed the police
department. The Crookes Report recommends considerable improvements
to intelligence collection and additional training for police. The
GOB plans to implement most of the recommendations over the next
four years.


3. (U) Perdomo noted that his main challenges were related to
resources - the GOB is dealing with a rise in criminal activity and
has limited resources to combat the issue. Another security
challenge noted by Perdomo is posed by Belize's porous borders - an
ocean to the east, and a disputed, forested border with Guatemala to
the west. CEO of National Security Brig. General (Ret.) Lloyd
Gillett noted some increasing cooperation with the Government of
Mexico in creating joint patrols to monitor the border on the Rio
Hondo River, and that he believed this has deterred much illegal
activity in the north of the country. He committed to continued
cooperation with the U.S. and to ensuring that resources and
assistance from the USG will be well used.


4. (U) Perdomo was concerned that, as traffickers throughout the
region gain ground, violence in Belize will continue to escalate.
He expressed his hope that the Merida Initiative will help
strengthen the relationship between our countries and allow the GOB
to purchase the appropriate equipment to combat drugs, corruption,
and other criminal activity, as well as to strengthen the judicial
system and intelligence services. He also noted that improved
forensic abilities will be critical in the fight against drugs,
crime, and guns.


5. (SBU) In a separate meeting with Police Commissioner Gerald
Westby, the Commissioner pointed out that, while trafficking of
cocaine via the sea has decreased significantly with the advent of
the Belize National Coast Guard (established 2005),illegal aircraft
landings appear to be increasing. In addition, the police are
receiving increased reports of the cultivation and export of
'hydromarijuana,' a more potent hybrid of cannabis. Assistant
Commissioner Allen Whylie noted that police are severely
under-resourced and that the Belize Police Department is largely an
unarmed force. However, proposed legislation will allow the police
increased authorization for surveillance, to include wire-tapping
for intelligence information which the police believe will help
improve their intelligence operations.


6. (SBU) When Webster asked the Commissioner about GOB policy toward
Cuban refugees, he replied (unofficially) that when the Coast Guard
encounters Cuban refugees at sea, they quietly refuel the incoming
vessel and try to assist them with any mechanical problems, before
sending the refugee vessel on its way. However, when refugees are
found on land they must be arrested and detained because other
agencies become involved. The Cuban refugees are then repatriated.
(Note: The Embassy is aware of several cases in which refugees were
unable to obtain their Cuban documentation. In these cases, the
Immigration Department provided temporary documentation for them and
then lost track of the individuals. End Note.)

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Belize-Guatemala Border Dispute
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7. (SBU) The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MFA, Ambassador
Alexis Rosado, thanked the USG for its support and assistance and
encouraged the USG to continue supporting OAS efforts to resolve the
border dispute with Guatemala. He highlighted the GOB's 'neutral'
educational campaign to inform its citizens about the upcoming
referendum that will be held simultaneously in both countries. He
also noted that taking this issue to the International Court of

BELMOPAN 00000119 002 OF 002


Justice is the only practical way to resolve the dispute, since
negotiations have failed, but he is doubtful that the referendum
will pass in Belize. Perdomo, the Minister of National Security,
echoed this concern, stating that many Belizeans feel that only
Belize has something to lose in this dispute. Webster told Rosado
and Perdomo that the U.S. supports a process for both nations to
resolve the Belize-Guatemala border dispute issue.

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Adjacency Zone
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8. (U) Webster also toured the Adjacency Zone and heard a
presentation from the Organization of American States (OAS) Program
Director, Miguel Trinidad, highlighting OAS challenges and
accomplishments in the disputed area. Trinidad noted the recent
cooperation between the BDF and Guatemalan forces during the removal
of an illegal storage container/retail shop from Jalacte, and during
the relocation of illegal Guatemalan communities on the Belizean
side of the border. The OAS representative expressed gratitude for
U.S. support for the effort and noted that the question of resources
for the next phase is already under discussion. Webster encouraged
the Program Director to provide additional reporting about the
Adjacency Zone's activities to keep the United States and other
potential donors informed and to justify requests for additional
funds.

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Business Climate
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8. (U) Webster met with American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) board
members to learn more about the business climate in Belize.
Taxation and corruption remain the board members' top concerns.
AmCham also pointed out that Belize maintains a business licensing
system, which is often subject to political intervention and which
decreases competition. They informed Webster of their efforts to
collaborate with other chambers of commerce in Belize to present a
united position to the GOB on these pivotal issues.

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HIV/AIDS
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9. (U) The Hand in Hand Ministries Director Abel Vargas provided
Webster with insight into the HIV/AIDS outlook for Belize. Hand in
Hand Ministries in Belize is affiliated with Hand in Hand Ministries
in Kentucky. Belize has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the
region and social stigma deters individuals from being tested. The
social stigma also discourages people from interacting with infected
individuals; this includes preventing infected persons from
receiving treatment from most of the medical community. Hand in
Hand primarily works with infants and children infected with HIV,
providing them with free schooling, counseling, daycare, medical
care, and anti-retrovirals.


10. Webster has cleared this cable.

DIFFILY