VZCZCXRO1841
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHBE #0657/01 3121617
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081617Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0904
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELMOPAN 000657 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: CORRUPTION SPAWNS NEW POLITICAL PARTIES 
 
REF:  (06) BELIZE 994 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (SBU) Frustration with repeated corruption scandals has generated 
several new third party movements in Belize.  A noteworthy 
development is a recent alliance designed to give third parties a 
stronger voice acting together.  However, this alliance is not 
likely to make an impact on the two-party system as the third party 
movement remains disorganized and splintered.  The third parties may 
actually end up diluting the anti-government vote and helping the 
incumbent party.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Overview of Third Parties and Alliances in Belize 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Alternative political movements are not new to Belize and 
several parties were recently formed with anti-corruption agendas in 
response to recurring scandals and anticipation of upcoming general 
elections.  None of the third parties have garnered significant vote 
tallies in the past and the two major parties -- the governing 
People's United Party and opposition United Democratic Party -- 
continue to dominate. 
 
¶3.  (U) On October 3 the National Belizean Alliance (NBA) was 
established in an attempt to bring the fragmented third parties 
together.  The NBA was established by the leaders of the People's 
National Party (PNP), We the People Reform Movement (WTP), and the 
Party of Christians Pursuing Reform (CPR).  According to the elected 
leader of the NBA, the intent of the alliance is to unite parties 
that may win in individual constituencies so they may form a more 
cohesive group in parliament.  So far, the NBA claims to have 
eighteen candidates in the alliance. 
 
¶4. (U) The Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) party, established in 
2005, has the best chance to affect the outcome in a single 
constituency.  The party ran in the Belmopan constituency in the 
2006 municipal elections and to the surprise of many, did extremely 
well garnering 19.5 percent of the total votes cast.  The VIP plans 
to run in Belmopan and four other constituencies in the upcoming 
national elections. 
 
¶5. (U) The National Reform Party (NRP) is a Christian-based 
political party established in 2006.  The NRP is contesting 19 
parliamentary seats and claims to be fielding more candidates than 
all other third parties in Belize.  The party is funded primarily by 
its leader (reftel) and has little chance of winning a single seat. 
 
 
¶6. (U) The People's National Party (PNP) was established in February 
¶2007.  The party leader, Wil Maheia, is the founder of the Toledo 
Institute for Development and the Environment and is the driving 
force behind the NBA.  He appears to be one of the most organized 
and charismatic leaders of a third party and has received favorable 
press in the Amandala, a leading newspaper.  The PNP plans on 
contesting two seats in the Toledo district and hopes to capitalize 
on strong name recognition in the southern part of the country. 
 
¶7. (U) The We the People Reform Movement (WTP) is unique as it 
claims not to be a political party.  The movement was established in 
2003 and contested the 2003 general elections and 2006 municipal 
elections in northern Belize and lost badly.  The party has 
announced plans to contest one seat. 
 
¶8. (U) The Party of Christians Pursuing Reform (CPR) also forms part 
of the National Belizean Alliance.  Only the CPR party leader 
appears to be a candidate in the Belmopan constituency where he will 
be directly competing with the popular VIP. 
 
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Comment 
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¶9. (SBU) Despite repeated corruption scandals involving the two main 
parties, the third party movement remains disorganized and 
splintered.  Platforms are generally non-existent and consist 
primarily of vague anti-corruption sentiments. Although the NBA is 
an encouraging step, the movement so far lacks the ability to bring 
the many parties together with a single ideology and party platform. 
Only by becoming a cohesive third option with collective campaigning 
power would they have any chance for success.  Unless that happens, 
the more likely scenario is that the new alliance will further 
weaken third parties and confuse voters.  In the end, the third 
parties may merely dilute the anti-government vote and help swing a 
few constituencies to the incumbent party. 
 
 
BELMOPAN 00000657  002 OF 002 
 
 
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