U.S. Ambassador gets familiar with Belize

One week ago, he arrived to head the U.S. diplomatic mission to Belize. Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally made a brief statement to the media on arrival at the P.G.I.A. and was whisked off to Belmopan. On Thursday, he was officially accredited as the top US diplomat. Thummalapally has hit the ground running and we caught with him today as he addressed the graduation ceremony of thirty B.D.F. soldiers who completed a three month technical course at ITVET. The Ambassador says he is in the process of getting a handle on the bilateral programme with Belize.

H.E. Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador
“You can anticipate my presence and my tour here hopefully for the next three and a half years representing the United States, President Barack Obama and all of the people of United States. In entirety, I am a friend who would like to listen and learn about Belizeans in terms of people, people’s aspirations, people’s wishes and build on the existing friendship, that’s what you can anticipate. At this point in time, I am learning the background, the history of the corporative nature, the corporative projects between Belize and the United States. So give me a few days, few weeks to comment further.”

Duane Moody
“What is your impression of Belize?”

H.E. Vinai Thummalapally
“My impression is I’m very impressed with the calm demeanor and nature and gentle nature of Belizeans and that’s my first impression and I’m liking it very much.”