Obama nominee proud to be considered to serve in Belize

US President, Barack Obama’s nominee as Ambassador to Belize, Vinai Thummalapally, says he is proud to be nominated as the first Indian American to serve as United States’ envoy to Belize. The Colorado-based Indian American businessman, appearing today before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing, said he would work to strengthen US interests in Belize, if confirmed. He noted that recently, Belize played a constructive role at the Organisation of American States, in addressing the political crisis in Honduras. Thummalapally also said that approximately five thousand American citizens live in Belize and that the US is home to the largest Belizean community living outside Belize. If confirmed, the Ambassador designate said he would look at ways to increase the effectiveness of programmes that aim to strengthen Belize’s domestic law enforcement and judicial institutions. Thummalapally is a known supporter of President Obama who raised funds for his presidential campaign. He is likely to be confirmed and will then begin briefings before he heads to Belmopan.