B.D.F. Commander looks at highs and lows of 2007
With elections a little more than two months away at the outside, virtually every public appearance by any politician is a campaign opportunity. Today, while taking part in a Christmas tradition at Price Barracks in Ladyville, Prime Minister Said Musa served up some good news to the Belize Defence Force. News Five’s Janelle Chanona has the story.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
It’s not everyday you see a Prime Minister waiting tables, but that’s exactly what P.M. Musa, Defence Minister Rodwell Ferguson, and senior officers of the Belize Defence Force and the Police Department did this morning as a gesture of gratitude to the country’s soldiers.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“Basically today we are trying to give something back to them. I think as leader of the nation we are trying to show that symbolically yes, we want to serve you too because of all the service you have done for us. In other words, it’s thanksgiving.”
But the Prime Minister wasn’t only handing out turkey dinner and apples today. He was also handing out promises of bigger pay checks in 2008.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We are working on the new budget now and I’m hoping that in the new budget, which of course takes effect April one, that we will be able to address the question of a modest salary increase for our frontline workers and the people who have been serving this nation such as our soldiers, our police, our nurses, and our teachers.”
According to B.D.F. Commander Lloyd Gillett, the annual luncheon allows the Force to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and plan for the challenges ahead.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, Commander, Lloyd Gillett
“We had the exchanges in terms of training that happened with colleagues from our Caribbean countries, sister armies sent their soldiers here to train in Belize, so I would say the defensive diplomacy effort was the highlight. In terms of the lows, we had one case of a B.D.F. Corporal that was caught selling visas and he was punished for that and he was kicked out of the B.D.F. I think that was a low point this year.”
That said, it was only fitting that today’s ceremony also included the presentation of awards to the men and women with distinguished service records in the B.D.F.
Among those honoured was the country’s youngest soldier, eighteen year old Mario Noralez.
Mario Noralez, Youngest Soldier
“I seh, well if they noh let me in dat wah be it, but if let me in I wah push fi di four months ah hard training. So dat dah the way how I me see it.”
Janelle Chanona
“And how you feel that you’ve gotten an award today?”
Mario Noralez
“Well, I neva expect it, but I feel good though.”
A special tribute also went out to the families of the men and women in green.
Lloyd Gillett
“The mother or father being at home taking care of the children is very important so that the soldier has that piece of mind that all is right at home and he can continue to contribute to the security, stability, and prosperity of Belize.”
While the B.D.F. played a crucial role in Belize’s recovery from Hurricane Dean, maintaining national sovereignty continues to be the Force’s main concern.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, Commander, B.D.F.
”We’ve had great strides in terms of security along the border because of our engagement with the Guatemalan armed forces. On a weekly basis there are Belizean and Guatemalan soldiers meeting, patrolling the border area, showing the residents of those areas that we are cooperating and that has managed to decrease the amount of violence. And I think we will continue with that path and if we get the resources, then we will continue with the further development of the force and enhancing of our security conditions in the country.”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I’m very optimistic that this situation with our neighbour for instance, that I believe, we will have a peaceful year. Already we see there is peace on our borders. We have the occasional little incident here and there. We are very conscious of the need for us to continue patrolling to ensure the integrity of our borders because the fear isn’t from soldiers; the fear is from people who are trespassing in our country. As you know, there’s a big push on the part of Guatemalans because they are suffering from a situation where the people can’t get land in Guatemala.”
Janelle Chanona
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs had indicated that Santa Rosa would be gone by the end of the year, do you still see that keeping on track?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“It has begun to move. I can’t say it will be completed by the end of the year, no. It looks to me like we are entering into the New Year before that matter is concluded, but the O.A.S. is working hard to build the homes for the people and I am very confident that within a matter of months rather than years, that problem will be solved.”
In 2008, the B.D.F. says it plans to recruit more, continue to outfit its light engineering company, and improve the quality of life for its soldiers. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
