BELIZE: COURTESY CALL ON FM WILFRED ELRINGTON

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000049 DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - CHRISTOPHER ASHE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BH SUBJECT: BELIZE: COURTESY CALL ON FM WILFRED ELRINGTON REF: (08) BELMOPAN 0446 ¶1. The CDA and PolOff met with FM Wilfred Elrington on January 27 to assure him that despite the expected gap between Ambassadors, there would be no diminution in the relationship or the range of exchanges between the GOB and the USG. Elrington said he understood and expected to carry on business as usual with the Embassy. ¶2. Elrington said now that the Merida Initiative was underway, he has serious concerns that increased anti-crime efforts in Mexico and Guatemala would push the criminals into Belize. He also indicated that during a recent CARICOM meeting, the Ministers put together a "wish list" to be sent to President Obama from CARICOM and intended to give the CDA a copy. Regrettably he was unable to find the document. ¶3. Elrington, who is also Attorney General, indicated that he had recently observed the government attorney working on the Rhett Fuller extradition case as she was crafting her lengthy argument for the case. He expects her to be fully prepared for the next court appearance. He stated that the GOB will do everything in its power to expedite the two pending extradition cases (Rhett Fuller and Mark Seawell - see reftel) and that we should see resolution in the next few months. DIFFILY