VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBE #0169 0792217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 192217Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1195
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000169 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL SOCI BH
SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE 
AGENDA 
 
¶1. (U) Summary. On March 14, the new Government of Belize proposed a 
legislative plan that focused on government reform, education, 
health, and crime.  The announced reform agenda seeks to combat 
corruption and institutionalize transparency. The plan also included 
new and expanded programs and services that may be impeded by a lack 
of available funding and resources.   End Summary. 
¶2. (U) In the opening parliamentary session to seat the new House of 
Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government delivered a 
blueprint for change.  On March 14, in a speech read by the Governor 
General, the United Democratic Party (UDP) proposed a plan that 
focused on government reform, education, health, and crime. 
----------------- 
GOVERNMENT REFORMS 
----------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Plans for the first House session were extensive and 
suggested numerous reforms including the right to recall elected 
representatives and allow for a mechanism to impeach the Prime 
Minister.  The speech called for a revision of the Freedom of 
Information Act to allow for the disclosure of information on 
government contracts, operations, and projects.  The UDP planned to 
empower the Senate to initiate and conduct investigations into 
mismanagement or corruption by public officials. Additionally, in a 
conciliatory gesture, the elected representatives from both sides of 
the House will be allotted a fair allocation of funds to enable them 
to serve their constituencies.  The speech stated that legislation 
regarding Senate reform, secret government contracts, conflict of 
interest, and nepotism would all be addressed in the first session. 
It is unclear if the proposed plan to punish unjust enrichment by 
public officials would apply to recent wrongdoing of the previous 
government or would only be prospective. 
 
---------------------- 
Crime and Prosecution 
---------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) The speech addressed new criminal standards to be enacted 
including the establishment of a special "Gun Court" to focus on 
crimes involving the possession or use of guns and ammunition. 
Drugs, violence, and effective prosecution were also focused on as 
areas for improvement.  To this end, the anti-drug unit will be 
strengthened with improved mobility, training, and intelligence 
gathering to deal not only with drug dealers, but also with the 
illegal gun trade. A Gang Violence Prevention Unit within the police 
department will be established and the Office of the Ombudsman will 
be empowered to investigate wrongdoing and negligence on the part of 
the Department of Public Prosecution. Additionally, the Internal 
Affairs Department of the police will be improved to strengthen 
investigative abilities and the police department will be 
accountable to a Civilian Oversight Board. 
 
---------------------- 
Education and Health 
---------------------- 
¶5. (U) Health reforms will focus on preventive care, public health 
education, and the removal of General Sales Tax from medical service 
and medications.  A national school feeding program will be 
introduced and the Government plans to expand compulsory education 
from eight to ten years. National education standards will be used 
to identify under-performing schools and position teachers to assist 
students who are falling behind.  A plan was put forward to provide 
access to high-quality preschool programs, particularly in 
disadvantaged areas and to provide financial incentives for teachers 
to upgrade their professional qualifications. 
-------- 
Comment 
-------- 
 
¶6. (U) The problem with the proposed reforms will be the lack of 
resources. For example, the Government has committed to maintaining 
the National Health Insurance program costing some Bz$38 million 
dollars annually even though there are no funds currently allocated 
to the budget and no identifiable future source of funding.  Plans 
to address issues of corruption and transparency are welcome and 
well overdue. 
 
HILL