TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 07-1029 

________________________________________________________________________ 

DEFENSE 

 Agreement between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and BELIZE 

Effected by Exchange of Notes at 

Belmopan July 2 and October 29, 2007 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
BELIZE 

Defense 

Agreement effected by exchange of notes at 

 Belmopan July 2 and October 29, 2007; 

 Entered into force October 29, 2007. 
No. 07/038

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has the honor to refer to recent discussions between

representatives of our two governments regarding issues related to United States military

and Department of Defense civilian personnel (defined as members of the United States

Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense,

respectively, hereafter referred to collectively as United States personnel) and United

States contractors (defined as non-Belizean companies and firms, and their employees

who are not nationals of Belize, under contract to the United States Department of

Defense) who may be temporarily present in Belize in connection with military training,

exercises, humanitarian activities, and other activities as mutually agreed.

As a result of these discussions, the Embassy proposes that United States

personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those

accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the

Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations of April 18, 1961; that United States

personnel may enter and exit Belize with United States identification and with collective

movement or individual travel orders; that Belize authorities shall accept as valid all

professional licenses issued by the United States its political subdivisions or states thereof

to United States personnel for the provision of services to authorized personnel; and that

Belize authorities shall accept as valid, without a driving test or fee, driving licenses or

permits issued by the appropriate United States Authorities to United States personnel for

the operation of vehicles. The Embassy further proposes that United States personnel be

authorized to wear uniforms while performing official duties and to carry arms while on

duty if authorized to do so by their orders.

DIPLOMATIC NOTE
The Government of Belize recognizes the particular importance of disciplinary

control by United States armed forces authorities over United States personnel and,

therefore, authorizes the Government of the United States to exercise criminal

jurisdiction over United States personnel while in Belize. The Government of the United

States recognizes that United States personnel should respect the laws of Belize.

The Embassy further proposes that the United States Department of Defense

and United States personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed

within Belize and that the United States Department of Defense and United States

personnel may import into, export out of, and use in Belize any personal property,

equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training, or services in connection with

activities under this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt

from any inspection, license, other restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any other

charges assessed within Belize. The Governments of the United States of America and

Belize shall cooperate to take such measures as may be necessary to ensure the security

and protection of United States personnel, property, equipment, records, and official

information in Belize.

The Embassy proposes that vessels and vehicles operated by or, at the time,

exclusively for the United States Department of Defense be permitted to enter, exit, and

move freely within the territory of Belize, and that such vehicles (whether self-propelled

or towed) shall not be subject to the payment of overland transit tolls. Vessels and

aircraft owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States

Department of Defense shall not be subject to the payment of landing, parking, or port

fees, pilotabe charges, lighterage, and harbor dues at facilities owned and operated by the

Government of Belize. Aircraft owned and operated by or, at the time, exclusively for

the United States Department of Defense shall not be subject to payment of navigation,

overflight, terminal or similar charges when in the territory of Belize. The United States

Department of Defense shall pay reasonable charges for services requested and received

at rates no less favorable than those paid by the Armed Forces of Belize. Aircraft and

vessels of the United States Government shall be free from boarding and inspection.
The Embassy also proposes that the United States Department of Defense may

contract for any materiel, supplies, equipment, and services (including construction) to be

furnished or undertaken in Belize without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier,

or person who provides such materiel, supplies, equipment or services. Such contracts

shall be solicited, awarded and administered in accordance with the laws and regulations

of the Government of the United States of America. Acquisition of articles and services

in Belize by or on behalf of the United States Department of Defense in connection with

activities under this Agreement shall not be subject to any taxes or similar charges in

Belize.

The Embassy further proposes that United States contractors shall not be liable

to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within Belize in connection with activities under

this Agreement and that such contractors may import into, export out of, and use in

Belize any personal property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training, or

services in fulfillment of contracts with the United States Department of Defense in

connection with activities under this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use

shall be exempt from any license, other restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any other

charges assessed within Belize.

The Embassy proposes that United States contractors shall be granted the same

treatment as United States personnel with respect to professional and driver's licenses.

The Embassy proposes that United States personnel shall have freedom of

movement and access to and use of mutually agreed transportation, storage, training, and

other facilities required in connection with activities under this Agreement.

The Government of Belize recognizes that it may be necessary for the United

States Armed Forces to use the radio spectrum. The United States Department of

Defense shall be allowed to operate its own telecommunication systems (as

telecommunication is defined in the 1992 Constitution and Convention of the
International Telecommunication Union). This shall include the right to utilize such

means and services as required to ensure full ability to operate telecommunication

systems, and the right to use all necessary radio spectrum for this purpose. Use of the

radio spectrum shall be free of cost to the United States Government.

Further, the Embassy proposes that the Parties waive any and all claims (other

than contractual claims) against each other for damage to, loss, or destruction of the

other's property or injury or death to personnel of either Party's Armed Forces or their

civilian personnel arising out of the performance of their official duties in connection

with activities under this Agreement. Claims by third parties for damages or loss caused

by United States personnel shall be resolved by the United States Government in

accordance with United States laws and regulations.

Finally, the Embassy proposes further that our two Governments, or their

designated representatives, may enter into implementing arrangements to carry out the

provisions of this Agreement.

If the proposals set forth herein are acceptable to the Government of Belize, the

Embassy proposes that this note, together with the Ministry's reply to that effect, shall

constitute an Agreement between the two Governments, which shall enter into force on

the date of the Ministry's reply, with effect from April 24, 2007, and which may be

terminated by either Party upon twelve months written notification to the other Party

through diplomatic channels of its intent to terminate.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Belize the assurances of

its highest consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America,

Belmopan, July 2, 2007.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AND FOREIGN TRADE

P.O. Box 174

NEMO Building

Belmopan, BELIZE C.A.

Tel: (501) 822-2322 / 2167

Fax: (501) 822-2854

E-mail: belizemfa@btl.net

Our Reference: FA/BR/17/07 (2)

NOTE NO. 695

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize presents its

compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour

to refer to the latter's note 07/038 of July 2, 2007 which reads as follows:

"The Embassy of the United States of America presents its

compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has the honor to

refer to recent discussions between representatives of our two

governments regarding issues related to United States military and

Department of Defense civilian personnel (defined as members of the

United States Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United

States Department of Defense, respectively, hereafter referred to

collectively as United States personnel) and United States contractors

(defined as non-Belizean companies and firms, and their employees

who are not nationals of Belize, under contract to the United States

Department of Defense) who may be temporarily present in Belize in

connection with military training, exercises, humanitarian activities,

and other activities as mutually agreed.

As a result of these discussions, the Embassy proposes that United

States personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and

immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and

technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention

on diplomatic relations of April 18, 1961; that United States

personnel may enter and exit Belize with United States identification

and with collective movement or individual travel orders; that Belize

shall accept as valid all professional licenses issued by the United

States, its political subdivisions or states thereof to United States

personnel for the provision of services to authorized personnel; and

that Belize authorities shall accept as valid, without a driving test or

fee, driving licenses or permits issued by the appropriate United

States authorities to United States personnel for the operation of
vehicles. The Embassy further proposes that United States personnel

be authorized to wear uniforms while performing official duties and to

carry arms while on duty if authorized to do so by their orders.

The Government of Belize recognizes the particular importance of

disciplinary control by United States armed forces authorities over

United States personnel and, therefore, authorizes the Government of

the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over United States

personnel while in Belize. The Government of the United States

recognizes that United States personnel should respect the laws of

Belize.

The Embassy further proposes that the United States Department of

Defense and United States personnel shall not be liable to pay any

tax or similar charge assessed within Belize and that the United

States Department of Defense and United States personnel may

import into, export out of, and use in Belize any personal property,

equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training or services in

connection with activities under this Agreement. Such importation,

exportation, and use shall be exempt from any inspection, license,

other restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any other charges

assessed within Belize. The Governments of the United States of

America and Belize shall cooperate to take such measures as may be

necessary to ensure the security and protection of United States

personnel, property, equipment, records, and official information of

Belize.

The Embassy proposes that vessels and vehicles operated by or, at the

time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense may be

permitted to enter, exit, and move freely within the territory or Belize,

and that such vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed) shall not be

subject to the payment of overland transit tolls. Vessels and aircraft

owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States

Department of Defense shall not be subject to the payment of landing,

parking, or port fees, pilotage charges, lighterage, and habor dues at

facilities owned and operated by the Government of Belize. Aircraft

owned and operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United

States Department of Defense shall not be subject to payment of

navigation, overflight, terminal or similar charges when in the territory

of Belize. The United States Department of Defense shall pay

reasonable charges for services requested and received at rates no less

favorable than those paid by the Armed Forces of Belize. Aircraft and

vessels of the United States Government shall be free from boarding

and inspection.
The Embassy also proposes that the United States Department of

Defense may contract for any materiel, supplies, equipment, and

services (including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in

Belize without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person

who provides such materiel, supplies, equipment or services. Such

contracts shall be solicited, awarded and administered in accordance

with the laws and regulations of the Government of the United States

of America. Acquisition of articles and services in Belize by or on

behalf of the United States Department of Defense in connection with

activities under this Agreement shall not be subject to any taxes or

similar charges in Belize.

The Embassy further proposes that United States contractors shall

not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within Belize

in connection with activities under this Agreement and that such

contractors may import into, export out of, and use in Belize any

personal property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology,

training, or services in fulfillment of contracts with the United States

Department of Defense in connection with activities under this

Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt

from any license, other restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any

other charges assessed with Belize.

The Embassy proposes that United States contractors shall be

granted the same treatment as United States personnel with respect

to professional and drivers' licenses.

The Embassy proposes that United States personnel shall have

freedom of movement and access to and use of mutually agreed

transportation, storage, training, and other facilities required in

connection with activities under this Agreement.

The Government of Belize recognizes that it may be necessary for the

United States Armed Forces to use the radio spectrum. The United

States Department of Defense shall be allowed to operate its own

telecommunication systems (as telecommunication is defined in the

1992 Constitution and Convention of the International

Telecommunication Union). This shall include the right to utilize

such means and services as required to ensure full ability to operate

telecommunication systems, and the right to use all necessary radio

spectrum for this purpose. Use of the radio spectrum shall be free of

cost to the United States Government.

Further, the Embassy proposes that the Parties waive any and all

claims (other than contractual claims) against each other for damage

to, loss, or destruction of the other's property or injury or death to
personnel of either Party's Armed Forces or their civilian personnel

arising out of the performance of their official duties in connection

with activities under this Agreement. Claims by third parties for

damages or loss caused by United States personnel shall be resolved

by the United States Government in accordance with United States

laws and regulations.

Finally, the Embassy proposes further that our two Governments, or

their designated representatives, may enter into implementing

arrangements to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

If the proposals set forth herein are acceptable to the Government of

Belize, the Embassy proposes that this note, together with the

Ministry's reply to that effect, shall constitute an Agreement between

the two Governments, which shall enter into force on the date of the

Ministry's reply, with effect from April 24, 2007, and which may be

terminated by either Party upon twelve months written notification to

the other Party through diplomatic channels of its intent to terminate.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this

opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the

Government of Belize the assurances of its highest consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America,

Belize City, July 2, 2007."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize has the further honor

to inform the Embassy of the United States of America that the proposals set forth

above in the Embassy's note number 07/038 of July 2, 2007, are acceptable to

the Government of Belize and to confirm that the Embassy's note and this note

shall constitute an Agreement between the two Governments, which shall enter

into force on the date of this note, with effect from April 24, 2007.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize avails itself of this

opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the

assurances of its highest consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America

Belmopan	 Monday, October 29, 2007