Rear Admiral John Borland Eyed for Chief of Defense Staff

John Borland

Since retiring from the Belize Coast Guard a few weeks ago, Rear Admiral John Borland has not returned to private life.  In fact, he is preparing for a new post as an advisor to the National Security Council chaired by Prime Minister Barrow.  His appointment, nonetheless, has to get the stamp of approval from both chambers of parliament.  While Senator Osmany Salas was sure to emphasize the benefits of having a Chief of Defense Staff, he questioned the lack of a committee that would be tasked to work with Borland in the execution of his duties.

Osmany Salas

Osmany Salas, Senator, N.G.O.s

“One obvious benefit that I saw is that the Chief of Defense Staff office would allow government to retain some of its most highly trained officers in the B.D.F. and the Coast Guard to remain in the public service rather than losing them.  This step also allows an emphasis on national security at a time of increasing threats to our country.  We know what several of these threats are, with all the landings of drug planes other transnational organized crime groups, it’s getting more challenging out here for us, especially for small developing countries like ourselves. I saw no reference in the bill about a committee, the establishment of a committee, of the Chief of Defense Staff.  I read about an office, I read about a Chief of Defense Staff but not necessarily a committee as opposed to, I looked at our defense act, I looked at the coast guard legislation and there is reference particular to the coast guard, I think, to a board that supports and gives guidance to the coast guard, but I do not see this, even though it is referred to in the preamble, I did not see any specific reference to that in this bill.”