ptember 1981 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution: 21 September 1981

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Colville
YOUNG (since 17 November 1993), who, according to the constitution,
must be a Belizean; was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993)
was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime Minister Dean
BARROW (since NA 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly
Senate: consists of an eight-member appointed body; five members are
appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of
the leader of the opposition, and one after consultation with the
Belize Advisory Council (this council serves as an independent body
to advise the governor general with respect to difficult decisions
such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the
removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.)
National Assembly: elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held
NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28
total) PUP 13 UDP 15

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George
PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP),
Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; National Alliance for
Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON

Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion of
Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad SHOMAN; United Workers Front,
leader NA

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. LINDO
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los