New vehicle, computers for B.D.F.
The two improvements in the capabilities of the Belize Defence Force officially made today will not tip the balance in the war on drugs or any other war…but they are a welcome addition. Patrick Jones reports from Ladyville.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
When he handed over the keys to the new set of wheels, United States Ambassador to Belize Russel Freeman may have been all smiles, but his message was clear to the B.D.F.: get the drug smugglers.
Russel Freeman, U.S. Ambassador to Belize
“The money came from our narcotics affairs section in order to present the truck so Belizeans will have better capacity to haul the boats to the river or to the ocean, so they can get in and get after the people that are smuggling narcotics through the country.”
Freeman believes that while there have been some dramatic discoveries of abandoned drug planes all over the country, our territorial waters remain the preferred route for drug traffickers trying to get their products to the States. It?s a view shared by Minister of Defence Godfrey Smith who told News 5 that today?s donation is very much appreciated.
Godfrey Smith, Minister of Defence
“I wouldn’t put it that highly as a major boost, but certainly we welcome whatever help we can get. As I mentioned in my remarks, we find ourselves in the middle of a transhipment route. The drug?s the primary source of production is Colombia. And one of the primary sources of consumption is to the north of us, the United States, so we fall in the middle of that transhipment route. We do what we can, we’re under-resourced, we’re small. So whenever we get help like this it certainly is encouraging.”
But the U.S. assistance, according to Ambassador Freemen, will extend far beyond this late model vehicle, as his government continues to support the local narcotics war. And while the cargoes have repeatedly eluded authorities, Freeman says the discovery of abandoned planes in the north, and a helicopter last week in Toledo is evidence that the strategy is working.
Russel Freeman
“I don’t think we’re losing it. I think there are some things that we are going to be doing with the Belizeans to help them fight, to interdict the drugs. Some programmes such as additional radar capability. But it seems the drugs smugglers seem to go from one place to another; they?ll try one thing and then when we get after them on that they’ll switch to another. But it?s a tough fight but we are going to continue the fight and we will have successes we are sure.”
While the vehicle donation will aid the Maritime wing in faster deployment of their vessels, the acquisition of a fleet of computers will hasten the B.D.F.’s modernization effort. Brigadier General Cedric Borland says the move to bring the force in line with technology started five years ago, but today?s opening of their computer lab is the biggest step on this long journey.
Brig. Gen. Cedric Borland, Commandant, B.D.F.
“We have had programmes going on in the past, but the shortage of computers was really a set back, and this initiative now is going to step us forward. We are looking at computerizing the entire B.D.F. logistics system and administrative system where we are able to have our personnel management on computers, we are able to have our stores and equipment computerised. And so that’s the step we are taking.”
The ten computers and the retrofitting of the building where the computers are housed was paid for by G.O.B. at a cost of forty-three thousand dollars. Patrick Jones for News 5.
In addition to the vehicle and computers, the B.D.F. also received some communication equipment for use in its daily operations. The radios are the property of the National Emergency Management Organization, but are seconded for use by the B.D.F. and police on condition that they be surrendered to NEMO in times of disaster or emergency.
