BELIZE PM MEETS WITH NEW AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000349 SIPDIS FOR WHA/CEN - J. VAN TRUMP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL BH SUBJECT: BELIZE PM MEETS WITH NEW AMBASSADOR ¶1. AMB and DCM met with Prime Minister Dean Barrow immediately after AMB presented his credentials to the Governor General on September 17. Barrow said the bilateral relationship is good and he has no complaints. On the business side, our relations are proceeding well. He very much appreciates the Merida Initiative assistance to the police. He noted that there is some difficulty obtaining convictions in the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) arena. He said the GoB would continue its efforts on that front and hopes for progress. ¶2. Barrow is an unabashed fan of President Obama. He recounted stories of his time with President Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Barrow would welcome a POTUS visit. ¶3. The AMB promised he would look for every opportunity to work on areas of common interest and to cooperate in building institutions. He recognizes that the drug and arms trafficking that we are seeing are not only a U.S. problem but includes Belize, and we need to work together with our friends and neighbors to make progress. Barrow noted that of course U.S. leadership and power in the hemisphere is recognized, but he appreciates the new tone which President Obama said the U.S. would be taking with hemispheric relations. Barrow noted that VP Biden reiterated this point recently in Costa Rica. The AMB complimented Barrow on his timely and well-articulated remarks at the Port of Spain Summit. (Note: Barrow held the rotating presidency of CARICOM at the time of the Summit in April ¶2009. End Note.) ¶4. Barrow and the AMB discussed the AMB's initial impressions of the Belizean character. Barrow agreed with the Ambassador's observation that Belizeans are reserved, of course, but have a warmth of style and a gentle nature. Barrow then expressed concern that the worryingly high murder rate on the Southside of Belize City was threatening to destroy a socially close way of life. ¶5. In closing, Barrow wished the AMB much success with his posting and said he looked forward to our continued collaboration. THUMMALAPALLY