Prime Minister meets California Belizeans
The relationship between Belizeans residing here at home and those who live abroad is an often complicated one. There was a time, for example, when thousands of Belizeans were dependent on a monthly cheque from stateside relatives to keep them in rice and beans, not to mention the latest fashion. And while that source of income is less of a factor today, the social and cultural ties that bind the Belizean diaspora to the homeland are, if anything, stronger then ever. With that in mind Prime Minister Said Musa last weekend led a high-powered delegation to meet with the Belizean community in California. Even though the expatriates can’t vote in Belize’s elections, it didn’t stop the Prime Minister from making a speech on the rostrum. Here’s some of what he had to say in Los Angeles.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I think all of us, whatever our political persuasion today, must recognize and look back on those 50 years when this revolution started to fight colonialism, to bring about land reform. They say we are no longer British Hondurans, and we are certainly not Spanish Hondurans, we are Belizeans. We have our own identity. We have our own flag, our own anthem, we have even our national prayer, and we are not ashamed to pray. We are not separating church from state. In Belize church and state work together. But most of all my friends, what makes us a nation, what makes us unique, a unique oasis in Central America, is that there lives a people who respect each other. A people who are tolerant, who are always smiling. You know that’s what people admire the most about Belizeans, that we are so amiable, we are so friendly. Sometimes, we are too friendly and they take advantage of it, but I believe that we must maintain our friendliness and we must maintain that harmony that exists among us and most of all we must maintain that deep and strong abiding love for Belize. Thank you all very much.”
Musa was accompanied by ministers Johnny Briceno, Ralph Fonseca, Cordel Hyde and Dickie Bradley as well as Ambassador Lisa Shoman. During the Los Angeles meeting, the Prime Minister and his delegation answered questions and discussed matters of mutual interest, including how Belizeans living abroad may invest in Belize and prepare for an eventual return home.
