P.M./P.U.P. leader address Independence Day
There were tightened security measures in place for this year’s Independence Day to put the population at ease after the grenade scare of September sixth … and it worked. Independence Day was welcomed with the traditional raising of the red, white and blue standard at the Memorial park, followed hours later by the official ceremonies and in a departure from the past, the uniform parade was postponed for the September twenty-second. The weekend was relatively free of major crime incidents and by and large residents stayed at home. We bring you highlights of the national day ceremonies.
[Fireworks …]
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“The great challenge of our time, the noblest work of our generation, must be to create a better and fairer Belizean society where each of us possesses the means to better our lives; to accomplish our goals and to build a strong and economically independent nation. The dream of a just nation however, cannot be realized when so many Belizeans are unable to provide for themselves and their families. Today too many Belizeans are poor; too many Belizeans cannot afford the basic necessities of life; and too many of our Belizean children lack the skill needed to build a successful future. As long as this continues, the dream of our ancestors can never be truly fulfilled. And as long as this continues, we will have to wear the scars and carry the baggage of guilt for a lost generation. It doesn’t have to be like that, not when we are so richly blessed, endowed by the almighty with so much natural and human resources.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Our celebrations this year also take place in the context of the new constitutional arrangements for the deepening of our democracy, the institutionalizing of the commitment to good governance, and the lifting up of the Belizean people. For these developments, for the national deliverance they represent, we are also grateful. And so today we celebrate and we are proud. Proud especially of this new democracy that ultimately unites us, proud of the fact that on this day, every year, the Government and Opposition share center stage; proud that there is equal time given to the speech of the other mass party leader; proud of his right to say whatever he pleases and prepares for as long as he pleases; and proud that that right is based immovably on the fact that in the end he and I and all of us are Belizean to the bone, filled to bursting with love for this great country and its blessings and wonders and gifts from almighty God.”
