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Belize - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-BELIZEAN RELATIONS The United States and Belize traditionally have had close and cordial relations. The United States is Belizes principal trading partner and major source of investment funds. It is also home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong. Because Belizes economic growth and accompanying democratic political stability are important U.S. objectives, Belize benefits from the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative. International crime issues dominate the agenda of bilateral relations between the United States and Belize. The United States is working closely with the Government of Belize to fight illicit narcotics trafficking, and both governments seek to control the flow of illegal migrants to the United States through Belize. Belize and the United States brought into force a Stolen Vehicle Treaty, an Extradition Treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between 2001 and 2003. The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid programs to Belize in FY 2006. Of this amount, nearly half a million dollars was provided by the U.S. Military Liaison Office. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) closed its Belize office in August 1996 after a 13-year program during which USAID provided $110 million worth of development assistance to Belize. Belize still benefits from USAID regional programs. In addition, during the past 42 years, almost 2,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize. As of April 2007, the Peace Corps had 58 volunteers working in Belize. Until the end of 2002, Voice of America operated a medium-wave radio relay station in Punta Gorda that broadcast to the neighboring countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. military has a diverse and growing assistance program in Belize that included the construction and renovation of several schools and youth hostels, medical assistance programs, and drug reduction programs. Private North American investors continue to play a key role in Belizes economy, particularly in the tourism sector. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador--Robert J. Dieter Deputy Chief of Mission--Leonard A. Hill Economic/Political Officer--Thomas Wise Consul--Kimberly Valdes-Dapena, Acting Management Officer--vacant Military Liaison Officer--LTC Tammy McNamara The U.S. Embassy is located in the City of Belmopan on Floral Park Street. The mailing address is P.O. Box 497, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize, Central America: tel: 011-501- 822-4011 from the United States or 822-4011 locally; fax: 011-501-822-4012 Main number; 822-4053 Administrative Office; 822-4050 Consular Section. E-mail address: embbelize@state.gov, Web site address: http://belize.usembassy.gov/. Other useful contacts Caribbean/Latin American Action 1818 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-466-7464 Fax: 202-822-0075 U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Office of Latin American and the Caribbean 14th & Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 202-482-1658; 202-USA-TRADE Fax: 202-482-0464