Officials ponder National Security Strategy

It is not the kind of initiative whose effects will be felt overnight, but nobody ever said that the serious problems now confronting our society would be quickly or easily remedied. Today at the Biltmore a process began that seeks to take a comprehensive look at the task of making Belizeans feel secure. News Five’s Janelle Chanona reports.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
In the wake of a number of violent attacks against residents and visitors, the National Security Council has charged the Belize Defence Force with the task of creating a National Security Strategy.

Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett, Commander, B.D.F.
?The time has come for us to develop a National Security Strategy so that we can manage the threats rather than react to them. I think in the past, everything that happens we?ve been reacting to them. What we?ve need to do is anticipate these threats. It is said the best time to develop a national security strategy would have been fifteen years ago, but the second best time is now. And I?m hoping that this will help alleviate the problems of crime.?

And to do that, the B.D.F. has enlisted the support of some powerful international partners, namely the United Kingdom and the United States of America. But today, those two allies made it clear that while some assistance will be forthcoming, Belize will have to shoulder the bulk of its security burdens.

Alan Jones, U.K. Ambassador to Belize
?Our role will be very small I?m afraid because clearly, security in any country has to be the responsibility of the government of that country. It comes at a key moment for the people of Belize so I know we?re increasingly concerned about the security situation locally, and I?m very glad that the Prime Minister spoke to this yesterday and that people are addressing the issue, that?s the key. ?

Robert Dieter, U.S. Ambassador to Belize
?We won?t send troops. I think the B.D.F., your B.D.F. is capable of carrying out the mission. Certainly if there is equipment that is needed that we could provide–we would be interested in assisting in that. I know the communication in that particular area is a problem and I would hope that people would be looking at how they could provide cell phone coverage and more ready communication in that part of the country. Lately we have seen growing lawlessness against tourists in resorts in remote areas of Belize and given the importance of your tourism industry, Belize cannot afford to gain a reputation as a dangerous place.?

Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett
?Belize will continue to engage our international partners for support to mitigate trans-national threats but unless we have a clear idea of what we need, even international assistance will lack purpose.?

To that end, this morning the B.D.F. launched the first of three workshops, facilitated by professors on the United States Army War College.

Professor Bernard Grifford, Centre for Strategic Leadership, U.S. Army War College
?It?s not so much a goal of trying to achieve a solution to each threat, it?s a matter of how best do we address the overall security environment and over the next ten to fifteen years, where do we want to put our resources.?

According to Professor Bernard Grifford, representatives of the business sector, educators, members of the financial community and the military will comprise the think tank that will formulate the strategy.

Professor Bernard Grifford
?The groups that?s here representing those departments will sit down and try to prioritize what?s the most important threat, or what is the biggest threat to Belize, and that?s what our goal is for this workshop, the prioritization and from that, we?ll build into the second workshop which would then look at the resources to address, the available resources, the threats identified. It could well be trans-national crime, it could be money laundering, it could be failure or long term worry that the educational system might not keep up with what needs to be done for the economy, all of these issues are on the table.?

It is hoped that a work plan will be submitted to the National Security Council by November.

Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.