wikileaks.org s… · web viewbill," which we must never forget has the enshrinement of public...

Belize Sources

http://dialog.sh.stratfor.com/ #1Belize: Prime Minister Clarifies for Citizens Decision To Amend ConstitutionBelize: "Prime Minister writes open letter to citizens on constitutional amendments" -- CMC headline CMC Tuesday August 2, 2011 12:31:45 GMT Opposition groups content that the amendment, which they describe as "by far the most radical and far reaching" meant that any future change to the Belize Constitution will no longer be open to review or challenges in the court.

Former prime minister Said Musa said that passage of the amendment would pave the way for a centralized and dictatorial state.

"That to me is a frightening situation that has developed in our country," he told News 5 television. The Belize Bar Association has also commented negatively on the amendment.

But in his letter seeking to clarify the amendment to the Belize Constitution, Barrow said "the competence, or lack thereof" of courts to review constitutional amendments in countries with written constitutions that are supreme, derives from the text, language and provisions of those constitutions.

But he said where it does not expressly grant such a power to the courts, judicial review of the merits of Constitutional amendments is not possible.

"Of course, the courts can always examine, and pronounce on, Constitutional amendments on the ground of failure to comply with the procedure for amendment to the Constitution," he wrote, noting that Section 68 of the Constitution of Belize "sets out exhaustively the manner in which the Constitution can be altered.

"No where in the Constitution is any power given to the courts to add a further requirement, such as a referendum," the Prime Minister said, noting the London-based Privy Council ruling on the matter. He said the position in Belize even without the present attempt at amending the constitution is clear.

"There is no limit on the power of the National Assembly to amend the Constitution, once the National Assembly acts in accordance with section 69. And the Courts should have no power to strike down amendments properly passed under section 69.

"The 9th Amendment is only spelling out the law as it currently is in Belize and every other Constitutional Democracy in the world, except for India," he added.

Prime Minister Barrow said those people and organisations campaigning against the

http://dialog.sh.stratfor.com/

Bill," which we must never forget has the enshrinement of public utilities in state control as its principal objective, say two very wrong-headed things: that the unlimited power to amend, which the Constitution has given to Parliament, is a sure open-door to abuse; and that the Bill would deny access to court for anyone wishing to challenge a Constitutional amendment.

"If it is true that the unlimited power of the Legislature to amend the Constitution is an invitation to tyranny, then that has been the position since 1981 when the Constitution came into force. And to argue about what, as a result, is possible in theory without accepting what is impossible in practice, is to proceed in error or deception.

"We share the same Constitutional democratic system as the big countries. And it is insulting to our people to suggest that there is any greater practical chance of the abuse happening here, as opposed to happening in Canada or the United States."

Just as in those two countries, there is in Belize the kind of democracy, tradition,and people power that is the ultimate safeguard against abuse.

"Barrow said that the amendment to the Constitution "does not stop any citizen from going to court" and accused those in opposition of "knowing this".

He said the amendment says that... "a law passed by the National Assembly to alter any of the provisions of the Constitutions in conformity with this section shall not be open to challenge in any court of law on any ground whatsoever."

"That language does not mean that an applicant is unable to make a claim in Court; that he would be debarred from filing his papers in the Registry; or that the court would turn back the suit and not hear the matter.

"The language does mean that a Court, and this is the position even without the Bill, should find against an applicant who seeks to strike down any amendment passed in conformity with Section 69.

"He said no one has ever been stopped from going to the courts to challenge constitutional amendment and that he hopes his letter "clarifies things and,needless to say, the Government will consider itself bound by the outcome of the public consultation process".

(Description of Source: Bridgetown CMC in English -- regional news service run by the Caribbean Media Corporation)

Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce.

#2Belize: Government Rejects Private Sector ResolutionCMC Unattributed report: "Government Rejects Resolution From Private Sector" CMC Thursday July 21, 2011 00:26:35 GMT The BCCI said that last weekend, the majority of its members voted and ratified a resolution on the renationalization and "this resolution is in regards to the current business climate, the method in which the government acquired private property and also adherence to the rule of law, " said Vanessa Peyrefitte, BCCI marketing/public relations manager. She said the resolution had formed the basis of a letter sent to Prime Minister Barrow. Earlier this month, the Belize government said despite a court ruling it remained in control of BTL.

The Appeal Court had earlier rule that the takeover of BTL was unconstitutional and that billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft was wrongly deprived of his telecom company. The 150 page ruling handed down by Justice Brian Alleyne essentially nullifies the 2009 acquisition after the Court of Appeal found that the government did not have sufficient reasons to compulsory acquire the company for public purpose. But in a statement, the government said that the judgment contained no order that may be enforced.

Peyrefitte said while there may be statements "out there talking about the Chamber in very negative ways...we are not against nationalization" and the private sector group while it had a problem with the recent acquisition, "it is our hope that we can work hand in hand with the government". She said the resolution "is simply for us to work together, to let the Prime Minister know (that) these are the sentiments of the business community. Investment climate -- it is very important. And at the end of the day, if we do not have positive investment climate, then businesses suffer.

"If businesses suffer, then they start closing their doors. If they close their doors, then what do you have? You have an increase in unemployment. We do not want that. And I do not think the government wants that either. "What we would want is just to work hand in hand with the government. Let's partner together so that we can achieve the same goal," she added.



#3Belize Government Announces New Measures for Exporting Scrap MetalCMC Unattributed Article: "New Measures for Exporting Scrap Metal" CMC Saturday June 11, 2011 17:46:07 GMT The transportation of scrap metals under the licensing system will be restricted only to authorized trucks that carry clearly visible identification marks. The government said that these authorized trucks would be prohibited from entering areas that lead to the Belize-Guatemala border, such as the Arenal, Calla Creek, and Bullet Tree Roads in the west, and the Jalacte Road in the south. Materials substantially made of copper, bronze or material considered as antiquities will be strictly prohibited from export under the new licensing system.

The government warned that persons found in possession of such prohibited material would be liable to a fine of not less BDZ 10,000 ($5, 071). Under the new licensing system, scrap metal dealers are now required to first obtain an export permit from the Department of the Environment every time they need to export scrap metal. The government said that the new regulations also address the environment impacts associated with the collection and storage of scrap metals through the requirements of an environmental compliance plan by licensees, as well as the collection of data on the trade of scrap metal in Belize.



#4Belize: Daily Notes Government Caught Off-Guard With Bus Industry ProtestAmandala editorial: "Bus operators blitzkrieg" Amandala Online� Friday June 3, 2011 21:14:23 GMT In Belize, the so-called, secretive "Special Branch" performs the intelligence-gathering functions of an organization like the American FBI. No one is supposed to be able to organize an almost national shutdown of road transportation and deliver a body blow to national productivity without the Special Branch having alerted the Minister of Police, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of National Security and the Prime Minister, beforehand. All these Cabinet worthies, however, were snoring in their beds Friday morning while the bus operators were blocking the Northern and Western Highways at strategic points and setting giant tires ablaze in an apparent effort to create the ambience of a war zone.

With thousand of students, workers, public officers, business people, and so on, stranded early Friday morning, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transportation, and the Minister of Police scrambled to initiate damage control. The blockade of the highways was illegal, and the Prime Minister is empowered to use force in such a situation to clear the roadways. But with controversial, police state laws just recently introduced into the House for debate, and a populace nervous about the behavior of special, roughneck, law enforcement units and the continued, broad sweep of draconian drug, gun, and ammunition laws, and in the midst of crushing gasoline prices, the P.M. was clearly more inclined to be discreet than valorous on Friday morning.

A way round the buses blocking the Northern Highway between Miles 6 and 7 was cut through a friendly neighbour's property. This was as early as 6:30 Friday morning. Hattieville and the Burrell Boom Bridge, however, took hours longer. Carmelita was the worst of all, as the threat of violent engagement between the security forces, on the one hand, and the bus operators and their allies, on the other, lasted until late in the morning when Thomas Shaw, the president of the bus owners' organization, gave the all clear, which is to say, announced that negotiations with the Prime Minister, which the bus operators had been requesting for weeks, had begun.

The Prime Minister's travails, however, were not over. Although the highways were freed up, the Prime Minister was ambushed at his press conference that afternoon. Ordinarily, the Prime Minister is the king of press conferences. In fact, he normally seems to relish the jousting in such a forum. This Friday afternoon was dramatically different. The UDP secretariat, or whoever it is, is supposed to organize the political "backative" for such a gathering, must have been looking forward to the weekend. The room at the press conference was dominated by the angry bus operators, so that when the P.M. had finished performing his usual magic of rhetoric and gesture,

then introduced the president of the bus operators, Shaw spoke decidedly differently from the way he had spoken to the P.M. in the morning. A "wild card" then entered the picture. An educated preacher, Patrick Menzies, took the podium and gave the government an ultimatum - return to the bus status quo ante by 5:00 p.m., or face the consequences.

No doubt apoplectic at the disrespect, the Prime Minister fought to restrain himself. It was as close to disorder as any of his press conferences have been. For a man controlling 24 seats of the 31 in the House, the Prime Minister had to watch his office reduced in stature at that Friday afternoon press conference. The UDP government has experienced an administrative disaster with this bus business. Political ly, the ruling party's constituency conventions have been going well, but in the matter of the high profile bus industry, Friday, May 27, 2011, represented total administrative meltdown for the UDP.

The appearance on the national television newscasts on Friday evening of Rufus X on Thomas Shaw's right shoulder, gave a clue as to what had happened. Arguably Belize's most experienced and militant revolutionary, Rufus X is the fire behind the bus operators in the Belize District. (The Northern operators do not need anyone to stoke their fires.) The UDP officials may have been lulled by the fact that Thomas Shaw is a known UDP, so to speak. In a larger sense, however, they have become comfortable, in fact complacent, in the cocoon which shields Cabinet Ministers from the financial hassles of the masses. Cabinet, to put it bluntly, got caught with their pants down on Friday morning, and on Friday afternoon. This is bad news for Mr. Barrow.

Power to the people. Power in the struggle.

(Description of Source: Belize City Amandala Online in English -- Website of Amandala, widely-read biweekly founded in 1969; known for political commentary; URL: http://www.amandala.com.bz)


#5Belize: Bus Industry Grievances Boil Over Into Roadblocks, DemandsReport by Aaron Humes: "Bus owners ambush Flippin!" Amandala Online� � Friday June 3, 2011 19:22:23 GMT As we went to press on Thursday night, all that the president of the Belizean Bus Owners' Association (BBOA), Thomas Shaw, would say in regard to latest developments in the rapidly unraveling bus situation was that major operator James Bus Line, the primary carrier to Dangriga, Independence and Punta Gorda, was taking its buses off the road the next day, Friday, in protest of events leading up to Thursday.

Those events included a meeting that was scheduled with operators from the proposed, now delayed, Northern Zone, without the apparent knowledge or consent of Shaw and the BBOA.

The meeting never actually took place (it was postponed, Shaw says a Transport official told him), but Shaw considered it further evidence of betrayal on the part of the Ministry.He would not tell us directly on the record what his aggrieved operators, particularly the Belize Bus Owners' Cooperative (BBOC) -- a cooperative of over 60 operators running buses in the Western Zone and a BBOA member, which was still off the road for the benefit of new company Westline Service, said to be owned by an official of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Sergio Chuc of San Ignacio -- would do about it.

But on Friday morning, May 27, beginning at around 4:00 a.m., various operators in the north and west of the country used their buses to block the major roads, entrances and exit points from Belize City to as far west as Mile 31 on the Western Highway, and as far north as the border at Santa Elena, at Mile 87 on the Northern Highway.

The major areas blocked included Mile 6 1/2 on the Northern Highway, Mile 15 on the Western Highway at the Colonel English Bridge entering Hattieville, the Burrell Boom Bridge on the Boom-Hattieville Road and the "El Posito" area of Carmelita, Orange Walk, at around Mile 44 on the Northern Highway.

At each of these areas, tires and other debris were piled high and burned, sending black smoke into the air and effectively stopping commuters from traveling into and out of the city.

The various operators - BBOC at Hattieville and Ladyville and several northern operators who are also members of the BBOA, namely Chell Bus Line, Cabrera Bus Line, Gilharry/Venus Bus Line and other affected stakeholders - made it clear to all concerned that they wanted the Government to take them, and their livelihoods, more seriously and bring back order to the transport industry.

Commuters who spoke to the various local media expressed a range of emotions, from solidarity with and support of the operators, to frustration at their decision to demonstrate their frustrations with the government, to general resignation.

From almost the start of the protest, the Government expressed a desire, as expressed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow on KREM Radio on Friday morning, to immediately get the roadblocks clear and return nationwide transport to normal, and secondly, to get the aggrieved operators to the negotiating table.

The Police Department in its various capacities, along with the Ministry of Works and other involved agencies, was called out to achieve the first objective, but only did so upon the accomplishment of the second, which occurred after the Prime Minister made an appeal to Shaw, as president of the BBOA and Claude Frazer, chair of the BBOC, to meet with him.

This took place at 10:00 a.m. Friday in Belize City, and by noon the last of the roadblocks had been cleared.The Northern Highway at Ladyville was clear by about 8:30 a.m.(after a way through a neighboring field was first cleared), Burrell Boom and Hattieville, around 10:00 a.m., and Carmelita and Corozal, by 11:30 a.m.

Several protestors, including Abner Chell, son of Chell operator Thomas, and John Brackett, of the Citizens for Safety (CIFOS) movement, were detained by police during Friday's activities.Brackett told Amandala later on Fridaythat he was getting legal advice to look into his detention, and opined that the operators should keep up the fight to get what they wanted.No injuries to protestors or bystanders were reported.

The Ministry of Education meanwhile announced that students scheduled to take the annual Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations (CSEC), run by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), were expected to go to their examination centers "without taking undue personal risks," and advised them that if they were not able to make it to their designated center, to go to the nearest one where they would still be allowed to take the examinations within the same allotted time.

At noon Friday, BBOA president Shaw emerged from the meeting with the P.M.and Transport Minister Melvin "Flippin" Hulse, and told reporters that a sort of compromise had been worked out on the understanding that the operator of Westline, Sergio Chuc, had already made an investment on the runs that the Department of Transport had thought that BBOC was leaving behind to go to the new Northern Zone (BBOC, the department maintained, has applied for runs in the Northern Zone).

According to Shaw, BBOC chairman Claude Frazer indicated to the Prime Minister during the meeting that he felt that the cooperative was prepared to accept a compromise and split the 18 total runs that had been taken over in the Western

Zone by the new company, Westline, half-and-half with Westline.

Unbeknownst to the P.M. - as the press and the nation later found out at the press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Matalon Business Center conference room on Coney Drive - the proposed agreement was apparently still to be ratified by members of the BBOC and the BBOA, most of whom were not in a mood to talk of negotiation and compromise.The Prime Minister went on to meet with 11 operators from the north, led by Roger Tun, all members of the BBOA, who agreed in principle to the proposed compromise.

With all the main players in the negotiations apparently all lined up, the PM, flanked by Transport Minister Hulse and Police Minister Douglas Singh, as well as Shaw, Tun, and BBOC representative Patrick Menzies - standing in for Frazer, who was suddenly not available for the press conference - outlined for the nation the basis of what had been agreed to earlier in the day.

Said Barrow: "What was agreed is that the BBOC would not in fact be required to operate only on the northern route, on the Belize City runs going north, but that in fact some of the earlier runs, some of the preexisting runs before the attempted reorganization took place, that BBOC had going west, would be retained. ...In effect, we would try to divide up the thing and ensure that as far as possible, the BBOC would not lose any of their runs except to the extent that everybody perhaps, will lose runs, as there is an effort to compress the thing and make it altogether viable and feasible. ..."

Having set the table, the P.M. called on Shaw, Menzies and Tun, in turn, to confirm and second the arrangement, but a surprise lay in wait.Relating the position of the BBOA after its meeting, Shaw explained why he and his operators felt Westline had to go, and right away:

"...these guys (BBOC) have been operating for over 6 years, and when you look at it, they have been taken out overnight and the privilege given to a guy (Chuc) that has brought in 20-30 buses.As the president, I think it's unfair and I am not going to mince words, but what I am saying is coming from my hear t, and as a operator myself, I know exactly the economic crisis -- with fuel and all the rest of it.I see what these guys are going through.It's been more than two weeks that these guys have been out there and not making a dime -- they have their families and they have bills to pay... if we have to go back to the table and negotiate for another week or so, then where does that put the 60-100 families...."

After a testy reply from the PM reminding Shaw of what they had agreed to earlier, Menzies came to the podium and leveled the room by declaring that the Prime Minister essentially had two options: agree to "return to normal schedule tomorrow at 5 a.m.... all runs -- 18 in the west and 6 up north, be reinstated as it was before... immediate release of all buses and compensation for damage to those buses that were damaged by the folks that moved them.... immediate release of all detainees

and all charges dropped by 5:00 on Friday evening, or else."If not, he warned, "what started today will continue."

Menzies told the approving audience, which consisted mostly of bus operators and supporters from civil society organizations such as Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) and Belizeans for Justice, that, referring to the Transport Minister, "when Minister Hulse turned this thing upside down he didn't negotiate -- he promised a few days.Minister Hulse made a promise that he back out on."He concluded flatly that he was "not here to negotiate."

Barrow tersely told Menzies that, "It is completely unreasonable and unacceptable to tell government you have until 5 o' clock to reinstate the BBOC on the western run.That is unacceptable; I am not going to, in any way, suggest that the government wants a confrontation.I am telling you that it is quite the opposite.The government does not want a confrontation, the inconvenience to the public, the economic damage that it will cause.These are things at this particular juncture we dearly want to avoid."

Addressing both Shaw and Menzies, he added, "I would hope that public opinion will see that in fact we are attempting to be reasonable and to be fair."

Only Tun seemed to stick to the party line, stating: "At this stage, we cannot tell the BBOC that we don't want to see them in the north--they have been operating there (in the north).... so we are very flexible.As much as I said we are on fire, or we are a district of fire, we believe in flexibility as well.And I stand to be corrected as well by the BBOC members--whether any nortenos run in the west.We believe that at this stage, we are open to dialogue with them. ...We believe in reform and most importantly, we believe that you cannot stop newcomers to enter into any business. ...We all are newcomers to the business at some point in time, be it forty years, fifty years, you name it.However, we must accept the fact that we cannot stop no one to invest.So with that spirit of good, to have a harmonial relationship, I come and I say from the nortenos' standpoint; we are prepared--Mister Shaw knows about it--we are prepared to lend a helping hand to them."

Amandala asked the P.M. if the basis of the arrangement - BBOC running in both the west and the north - contravened the standard policy in the zoning program of the Department of a company operating only in any one particular zone.

He replied that when he asked the Minister of Transport about that last week, he questioned, as he put it - "was that (the practice) a law from God?" and was told no; he concluded that it was necessary, in this instance, to depart from the policy with a good and sufficient reason - in this case the resolution of a politically tense situation.

Regarding the roadworthiness of the Westline buses, which had been subject to allegations of lack of proper safety features and non-Belize license plates, Barrow put the duty s quarely on the Ministry to make sure they come up to standard.

Hulse - who faces a potentially difficult re-election campaign in Stann Creek West - is safe in his job, according to the Prime Minister, despite calls from Shaw earlier in the day for him to step aside.He would lead, along with Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and Cayo West area rep Erwin Contreras (both deputy leaders of the UDP) and transport officials, the negotiations that had initially been set for today, Monday, but after the surprises on Friday, were pushed up to Saturday in the interest of resolving the situation as soon as was immediately possible.

Ultimately, negotiation was the decided option, and those meetings took place over the weekend and continued to today, Monday, in Belize City and Belmopan.At press time tonight, Amandala has confirmed that BBOC has agreed to take 9 runs in the Western Zone (4 from Benque to Belize City and back, and 5 from Belize City to Benque daily), beginning from Wednesday, June 1. It is expected that WestLine will hold the other nine runs in the Western Zone.

Neither Shaw nor Frazer were available, and Minister Hulse would only tell us that "the framework is being put in place, the arrangements are being made and we are moving forward amiably."He confirmed the agreement on the Western Zone, and added that he had just stepped out of the continuing meetings with the northern operators, and would prefer not to comment during the ongoing negotiations so as not to jeopardize their progress.

(Description of Source: Belize City Amandala Online in English -- Website of Amandala, widely-read biweekly founded in 1969; known for political commentary; URL: http://www.amandala.com.bz)

Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce.

#6Belize Wants Trade Agreements with Mexico, Honduras, El SalvadorCMC Headline: "Belize Wants Trade Agreements with Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador" CMC Monday April 18, 2011 21:25:00 GMT Stakeholders' feedback will assist in establishing clear positions for engagements with Mexico and inform on how we proceed with El Salvador and Honduras. Successful completion of these consultations will be determined by the active involvement of both the private and public sectors," the Ministry said. It added that the Dean Barrow government recognizes "the many business opportunities available to the private sector under trade agreements and arrangements and urges the Belize private sector to be part of these discussions".



#7Salvadoran Foreign Minister in Belize for Mutual Talks With Belizean CounterpartCMC Headline: "Salvador" CMC Friday April 8, 2011 22:20:51 GMT After closed-door talks, Elrington told reporters that he and Martinez have reached agreement which will see the Salvadoran government sending more assistance to Belize which will be used primarily to help the growing population of Salvadoran nationals who now make Belize their home, after fleeing the civil war in El Salvador back in the 80's. The communique said Martinez's visit represents "the beginning of a new era in the bilateral relations of both countries, which consolidates and builds on the values of past experiences and shared responsibilities."

Martinez, speaking through an interpreter, thanked the Belize government and people for welcoming Salvadoran nationals with open arms when they fled the civil war back home. "We are immensely grateful for what you have done for our people," Martinez said, as he promised that El Salvador will now use its bilateral relations with Belize to support these communities which have been established primarily around the Belmopan area. Both Foreign Ministers also pledged to cooperate in security issues, human trafficking, and work on establishing a partial scope agreement to enhance the importance of trade and investment between the two countries.

Belize and El Salvador also agreed to explore ways of expanding education opportunities such as providing more scholarships and the exchange of university expertise, including the study of English and Spanish as second languages. Foreign Minister Martinez will also pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dean Barrow before departing on Thursday (7 April) afternoon.



#8

Belize opposition party launches campaign 446 words9 January 200806:37BBC Monitoring AmericasBBCMAPEnglish(c) 2008 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced except with the express permission of The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website

BELIZE-ELECTION-Opposition party reveals programmes as it launches campaign BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC - The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) Tuesday unveiled some of the policies it hopes to implement if elected to government as it launched its 30-day campaign for the February 7 general election. At a mid-morning press conference, UDP leader Dean Barrow outlined the party's platform for the elections saying that the basis of his UDP's 2008-2013 manifesto is based on putting the people at the centre of the country's national development. Barrow said the manifesto is structured around 21 main points, among them a pledge to lower electricity and telephone rates by utilising hydro-electricity generation and voice over internet protocols to drive down rates. Ultimately, said Barrow, the UDP in government would be willing to reduce the General Sales Tax (GST) on these essential services to ensure that the people of Belize get some relief and see a return of the buying power they once enjoyed. Barrow also proposes to lower fuel prices by replacing the current regime of revenue replacement duty with a "lower, flat tax" on fuel. The UDP is also pledging to eliminate income tax for persons earning under 650 dollars (306 US dollars) per week, offer shares in a national oil company to ordinary Belizeans and enact legislation to provide for a recall mechanism for elected officials, as well as prosecution of those who "enrich themselves unjustly at the public's expense". On crime, the UDP pledges to expand the police department and resurrect a Conscious Youth Development Programme targeting young people involved in gang activities and to provide employment opportunities for young people. The UDP is also pledging to create 5,000 new jobs in the tourism industry and committed itself to building 1,000 "quality standard" houses per year during its term of office. On foreign relations, Barrow emphatically said that a UDP government will maintain and strengthen relations with Taiwan. Regarding the referendum on an elected Senate which will be held on the same day as the general elections, Barrow says the idea is nothing more than a political gimmick by the ruling People's United Party (PUP) and dismissed it, saying that the UDP's last word on the referendum is that he will be encouraging the people of Belize to ignore the referendum ballot totally. And for those who wish to vote on the referendum issue, Barrow says he will be encouraging people to vote 'no'.

Source: Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website, Bridgetown, in English 2050 gmt 8 Jan 08

a789668d

Document BBCMAP0020080109e419000b5

#9Belize opposition favours continued relationship with Venezuela

431 words5 February 200810:12BBC Monitoring AmericasBBCMAPEnglish(c) 2008 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced except with the express permission of The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website on 5 February

Belize City, Belize: Opposition Leader Dean Barrow says he considers the relationship which this country shares with Venezuela as a "national relationship" which would be continued by a United Democratic Party (UDP) administration.

However, Barrow said that should he be elected prime minister in the February 7 general election here, he would convene an early meeting with the Venezuelan ambassador to make the point that in the last few months it had appeared that the relationship had become a People's United Party (PUP)/Venezuela relationship rather than a Belize/Venezuela one.

"I am sure we can sort out those difficulties and the fact is, again in the national interest, we will want to maintain good relations with Venezuela," Barrow said.

"Without a doubt, the question arises as to the aspirations of Venezuela in terms of regional hegemony, and the United States and their interest in this area."

But Barrow said that while it would be necessary to do "a sort of balancing act, the plain truth is that the Venezuelans are offering to CAIRCOM (Caribbean Community) States far more than the United States is."

"Life is real," he said, adding that "nobody wants to quarrel with the United States, I am very aware of the power reality of things, but to the extent that small countries do have some room within which to manoeuvre, again I think small countries must follow first of all their economic interests...and Venezuela is prepared to put its money where its mouth is."

Barrow, who is seeking to become the first UDP prime minister in 10 years, said he was convinced that Belize could continue to benefit from a close relationship with the Hugo Chavez administration in Caracas.

"I don't see that the United States can expect us to turn our backs on Venezuela when Venezuela is prepared to give to us and to all the Member States of CARICOM what the United States clearly isn't prepared to."

In June 2005, Belize joined several CARICOM States in signing the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela

Widely referred to as the Hugo Chavez oil deal, PetroCaribe is a mechanism for providing Venezuelan oil to Caribbean countries at full price but on easy terms which include payment in goods and services rather than hard currency.

Barbados and the oil-rich Republic of Trinidad and Tobago did not join the initiative.

Source: Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website, Bridgetown, in English 1500 gmt 5 Feb 08

a7ad3173

Document BBCMAP0020080205e42500002

#10UPDATE 1-Belize decides on veteran Musa's fate in election

By Catherine Bremer 606 words7 February 200812:43Reuters NewsLBAEnglish(c) 2008 Reuters Limited

(Adds candidates' quotes, details)

BELIZE CITY, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Belizeans voted in a general election on Thursday on whether to give veteran Prime Minister Said Musa a third term or throw him out of office after graft scandals and economic woes hit the Central American country.

Voters in red or blue campaign T-shirts and carrying umbrellas lined up in tropical drizzle to decide between Musa and challenger Dean Barrow, a former attorney.

Polls close at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. EST) (0000 GMT) and a final result is expected some time after midnight.

A prominent political figure since Belize won independence from Britain in 1981, Musa has a solid support base. But his popularity has been shaken by corruption scandals, ballooning public debt and tax hikes that sparked riots in 2005.

"This government: all of them have to go. Dean Barrow will make for a better change," said Dwayne Hums, 19, one of many first-time voters in this country of 300,000 people. He was huddled under an umbrella outside a polling station.

Polls predicted a close race and a high turnout after a vitriol-packed campaign. Barrow's United Democratic Party, or UDP, calls Musa corrupt and incompetent, and Musa's People's United Party, or PUP, says Barrow is a danger to the nation.

Wedged between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize's population is dotted between tropical jungle and laid-back Caribbean coastal towns like Belize City, the busiest. Despite food and fuel price rises, many believe Musa will best protect their finances.

"They help people financially wise, housing wise and education wise," said a 35-year-old woman who identified herself as Denise. She helps run a guest house and her partner works in the United States.

Many Belizeans -- a mix of indigenous Maya, Mestizos, Creoles and African-descended Garifuna -- rely on remittances from relatives working abroad. Tourism and farming are the other main economic motors.

Musa, a diminutive white-haired former lawyer of Palestinian descent, has campaigned on bread-and-butter issues, pledging new jobs, income tax cuts and a free laptop for every school child.

'MAINTAIN FAITH'

"I'm feeling good. Wonderful. We're going to win," the 63-year-old Musa told Reuters after casting his vote. On Wednesday, he urged Belizeans to maintain faith in his party and warned that investment would suffer if the opposition wins.

Barrow also said he was confident of victory.

"Early reports are very encouraging," he said at a polling station, promising a corruption-free government that will increase spending on infrastructure and get more Belizeans investing in tourism. "We will manage things better." he said.

Both parties are centrist with similar economic policies.

Barrow has promised new laws to curb embezzlement by public officials, as well as fighting crime and building new homes.

The ruling PUP was the driving force behind independence and has won 10 of 12 elections since Belize, then under British rule, first elected a legislative assembly in 1954.

Musa has driven economic growth, bringing more cruise ships and starting crude oil drilling. But he borrowed heavily and had to calm investors with a debt restructuring in late 2006.

Belizeans were electing a new House of Representatives, where the dominant party will then confirm its candidate for prime minister. They also voted in a referendum on whether Senate members should be elected, rather than government-appointed. (Editing by Peter Cooney)

BELIZE-ELECTION/ (UPDATE 1)|LANGEN|G|RBN|AFA|CSA|LBY|RWSA|RWS|REULB|GNS|ABN|E|M|D|RNP|PGE|SXNA

Document LBA0000020080207e427001vg

#11INTERVIEW-Belize's new leader to avoid bond issues

By Catherine Bremer 488 words8 February 200820:20Reuters NewsLBAEnglish(c) 2008 Reuters Limited

BELMOPAN, Belize, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Belize's new prime minister, Dean Barrow, said on Friday he will avoid the bond markets and only borrow from international lenders as the debt-laden nation aims to boost growth and meet interest payments.

In an interview with Reuters after being sworn in as the Central American nation's first black leader, Barrow said Belize's $1.2 billion public debt, restructured in late 2006 to ward off a default, was tricky but manageable.

"It's no bed of roses. It's going to be tough going," said Barrow, who swapped his campaign trail baseball cap and sunglasses for a starched blue tropical Guayabera shirt with gold cufflinks.

"There's no way we can operate without contracting more debt but (it) would have to be multilateral debt, concessionary loans from the World Bank, IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), international organizations like that. We're certainly not interested in going to the commercial markets the way the outgoing government did."

Former prime minister Said Musa's heavy borrowing, along with alleged financial scandals and tax increases, cost him Thursday's general election, ending a decade in office.

"The economy is growing so we do feel we'll be able to service the current debt and still take on the additional borrowing on concessionary terms," Barrow, 56, a former attorney and foreign minister said in the capital Belmopan.

A centrist who ran on an anti-graft campaign, Barrow said his plans for new legislation to make it easier to clamp down on embezzlement were aimed at attracting local and foreign investment in areas like oil drilling and ecotourism.

Barrow will also study the idea of creating a capital market in Belize to lure equity capital, he said.

"We're going to operate on a straight basis with investors. We believe the private sector is what ought to drive the economy and we are going to do all we can to create the sort of enabling environment in which this can take place," he said.

He said while his aim was to develop small-scale ecotourism around Belize's lush jungles, he will also expand regular tourism with a cruise ship terminal being built on the edge of Belize City and possibly with charter flights from Europe.

For now, cruise ships anchoring off Belize have to put passengers in small boats to reach shore. Overseas tourists have to fly in via the United States or Central America.

Barrow said he would continue warm relations with Taiwan and Venezuela, which send financial support, but not to the point of irking Washington which Belize sees as an ally in fighting drug traffickers which race up its Caribbean coast in speedboats and are breeding street gang violence. (Editing by Eric Walsh)

BELIZE-ELECTION/BARROW (INTERVIEW)|LANGEN|G|RBN|ABN|M|D|O|OIL

Document LBA0000020080209e42900016

#12New Premier Names Belizean Cabinet Kate Joynes 291 words

15 February 2008Global Insight Daily AnalysisWDANEnglishCopyright 2008, Global Insight Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow has named his new cabinet after quashing his predecessor Said Musa’s hopes for a third term. The new premier will hold the post of Finance Minister while ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) heavyweight Erwin Contreras will serve as Minister of Economic Development, Commerce, Industry, and Consumer Protection. Manuel Heredia Jr, takes on the leadership of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry. Audrey Wallace becomes a key advisor for Barrow as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the Office of the Prime Minister. James Murphy, Jr, was appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary. Former UDP leader Manuel Esquivel, who boasts considerable experience in government, was named as Senior Advisor to Government, enjoying the rank of minister. Anthony “Boots” Martinez was chosen to lead the Ministry of Works while namesake Gabriel Martinez takes charge of the Ministry of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Development.

Meanwhile, former PM Said Musa stepped down as leader of the People's United Party (PUP) to help encourage the injection of new blood.Significance: PM Barrow is Belize’s first black head of government. He has selected a cabinet that is representative of the country’s diverse ethnic composition. The new premier also ensured that every voting district got at least 50% of its constituency representatives in the cabinet, making it geographically representative. Reforms to the Senate promised by former leader Musa will not take effect after the referendum on the issue failed to pass. The National Assembly (parliament) will appoint new members shortly, including three women. Barrow’s own reforms to the upper house will be implemented, namely an extra seat for a non-governmental organisation (NGO) representative and three seats for the opposition PUP.

wikileaks.org s… · web viewbill," which we must never forget has the enshrinement of public...

Documents