Belize

On Thursday, August 4, 2005, the United States and Belize signed a reciprocal Ship Boarding Agreement in support of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Belizean Ambassador to the U.S. Lisa Shoman signed the agreement on behalf of Belize and Assistant Secretary Stephen Rademaker signed on behalf of the United States....The ship boarding agreement signed by the U.S. and Belize will facilitate cooperation between the two countries to prevent the maritime trafficking of proliferation-related shipments by establishing points of contact and procedures to expedite requests to board and search suspect vessels in international waters. If a U.S.- or Belizean-flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation-related cargo, either Party to this agreement can request authorization to board, search, and possible detain the other's vessel and its cargo. The agreement does not apply to the vessels of third states. -- Media Note, August 4, 2005