Speeches

Belize National Security Strategy Formulation Seminar - June 13, 2006

Participants of the Belize National Security Strategy Formulation Seminar

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning.

It is a pleasure to see so many members of Belize's security community here today.  To quote General Casey, the Commanding General for Operation Iraqi Freedom, security is the oxygen that makes everything else possible.   Indeed, ensuring security for its citizens is the paramount responsibility of every government.

Belize will greatly benefit from the development of a National Security Strategy. I cannot think of a more timely workshop than this one.  Lately we have seen growing lawlessness against tourists and resorts in remote areas of Belize.  Given the importance of your tourism industry, Belize cannot afford to gain a reputation as a dangerous place.  Of course there are many other threats as well.  Identifying them, assessing Belize's vulnerabilities, prioritizing and providing a rational analysis for the allocation of resources is critical.  Providing security must harness all the elements of national resources: diplomatic, informational, and military as well as economic.

Many of the threats we face in the 21st century are transnational.  That implies regional solutions.  However, a regional security strategy, perhaps under the proponency of the Central American Integration System (SICA), cannot be developed until individual countries develop their own security strategies.

Belize is leading the way in this regard.  I congratulate BG Lloyd Gillett for volunteering the BDF to spearhead this initiative and for his proactive leadership.  I also want to thank Lt. Col. David Treleaven from the USMLO for coordinating this event and arranging for the support of the US Army War College. 

I want to acknolwedge the two facilitators here from the War College: Prof. Bernard Griffard and Col. Dale Eikmeier.   I know they will provide valuable insights.  I understand that there will be a total of three workshops that will span into the fall of this year. At the end of this process, you will present your strategy to the senior leadership of Government. Of course, Government’s support is critical to the success of this endeavor.

I know you will take advantage of this opportunity. We are all busy and it is not easy to fence off a block of time to do some deep thinking.  I look forward to seeing the results as your work takes shape over the coming months.  Please let me know if there is any way I can assist in the process. Again, I want to thank you for allowing me to address you this morning.