Interpretation

(1) In this Act“Belizean ship” means a ship registered in Belize; “cash” means– (a) coins and notes in any currency; (b) postal orders; (c) cheques of any kind, including travellers’ cheques; (d) bankers’ drafts; (e) bearer bonds and bearer shares; and (f) any kind of monetary instrument prescribed by order of the Minister responsible for finance as cash; International Co-operation Act [CAP. 103:04 7 “central authority” means the central authority designated in section 4; “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police; “Convention State” means a State which is a party to the Vienna “customs officer” means an officer appointed as a customs officer and includes the Comptroller of Customs; “exported”, in relation to any cash, includes its being brought to any place in Belize for the purpose of being exported; “evidence” includes documents and any other articles; “information” means any fact, statement or record in any form that is relevant or material for the enforcement of any provision under this Part; “Minister” means the Minister with responsibility for foreign affairs; “police officer” means a member of the Belize Police Department; “request” means a request for assistance by a requesting State to a requested State, which is made in accordance this Act; “requested State” means a State that receives a request under this Act; “requesting State” means a State that makes a request under this Act; “Schedule” means a schedule to this Act; 8 “ship” includes any vessel used in navigation; “State” includes reference to any territory; “treaty” means a treaty or agreement that provides for mutual legal assistance, including the exchange of information and the performance and enforcement of specified requirements with respect to legal assistance in criminal matters, entered into by the Government of Belize with the government of another State; and “Vienna Convention” means the United Nations Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances signed in Vienna on 20th December, 1988. (2) If, in any proceedings under this Act, any question arises whether any State is a Convention State or is a party to the Vienna Convention, or any other treaty, convention or agreement, a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Minister shall be conclusive evidence on that question.