of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17
November 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 2 August 1998);
Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA July 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general
appointed by the monarch; prime minister appointed by the governor
general

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the
Senate (eight members; members are appointed for five-year terms,
five 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.) and the
National Assembly (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular
vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly--last held 1 August 1998 (next to be
held NA August 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PUP
26, UDP 3

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 or PUP [Said
GOLDSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion
Front

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, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James Schofield MURPHY
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL
embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025

Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and
the bottom edges; centered is a large white dis