Patterson says Price was man of steel, father and visionary leader

PJ Patterson

PJ Patterson told us via telephone that Price played long and flawless innings to Belize and the rest of the Caribbean and that his memory will long live.

Via Phone: PJ Patterson, Former Prime Minister, Jamaica

“Now in the 1980’s the party to which I belong in Jamaica was in opposition and I had returned to the field of law and was operating as an international consultant. I had to work very, very closely with George Price and his team of ministers because firstly, we were asked to render some political advice in the negotiations that were taking place at the United Nations between Guatemala and Belize. And we had to fashion an agreement that would enable Belize to proceed forward to independence. Then later on as we were engaged in preparing for supporting Belize’s independence we were involved in working with the Belizean team in the legal draft of the Belizean constitution. So during that period, I saw him frequently, interfaced with him constantly and one could not help but be persuaded by his steely resolve. I’ve already spoken about his humility, his gentle manner but I don’t think anybody should mistake that for one who was prepared to compromise on principles and on the issues, certainly in relation to the territorial integrity of Belize, he was always a man of steel.  They have lost a father, a visionary leader, a man who led Belize to Independence, who fought to bring the nation into the twenty-first century, who pursued consistently an agenda for national development and sought to do so within the wider framework in Caribbean unity. He has played long and flawless innings and his contribution to Belize and the wider Caribbean community will always live in our collective memory. I offer my sincere condolence to his family, to the people of Belize, to his colleagues and his many friends.”