Belize signs security pact with United States

Belize signs security pact with United States    The government of Belize has signed a 'proliferation security initiative ship boarding agreement' with the United States, reflecting 'a policy of cooperation in the prevention, detection and suppression of illegal activities in the interests of safety and protection of the environment,' the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize said in a statement.
   The agreement establishes points of contact and procedures for the boarding and searching of ships bearing the flag of the United States or that of Belize in international waters, when such vessels are suspected of being engaged in the transportation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials.
   Belize is the sixth flag state to sign such a pact with the United States. The others are Liberia, Panama, the Marshall Islands, Croatia and Cyprus.