2007 Speeches
Radio Transfer to Belize Defence Force - June 1, 2007
It is my great pleasure to be here on behalf of the United States government to transfer to the Belize Defence Force these advanced eight (8) Man-Pack and eighteen (18) Hand-Held Tactical Radios along with a package of spares and ancillaries valued at some US $354,000. I know this equipment will be put to excellent use.
The Belize Defence Force is a light infantry force and secure communications is a key element of their daily mission. Effective communication is critical to the BDF’s tactical mobility and logistical re-supply in times of contingency, and essential to executing the manifold peacetime missions that Belizeans expect from the BDF. These tactical radios will assist the BDF in meeting a critical need.
These Advanced Tactical Radios are provided through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) -- a program of grant assistance intending to support the modernization and maintenance of defense forces in developing countries with firm democratic traditions.
It also gives me great satisfaction to confirm today that Belize has received funding for its Light Engineer Company to be used for Peace Keeping Operations. This funding is being provided through the Global Peace Keeping Initiative (GPOI). Belize will receive US $700,000 for equipment and training in response to its firm commitment to expand security and law enforcement within its borders. The U.S. Embassy’s Military Liaison Office will work closely with the Belize Defence Force to ensure that equipment is procured and delivered as quickly as possible.
I had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with BG Lloyd Gillett over the last couple of months while visiting the New Horizons school-building construction sites, the various medical exercises, and the Tradewinds 2007 exercise at Price Barracks. The BDF is in great hands and I look forward to working closely with the Belize Defence Force and its leadership as we go forward. I have been impressed at the operational tempo, and the breadth of missions that the BDF executes on a daily basis. The men and women of the BDF stand “shoulder to shoulder” to secure the territorial integrity of the nation and ensure the safety of the people of Belize. It is personally gratifying to have this opportunity on behalf of the people of the United States of America to assist this highly trained professional force.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate 2nd Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis for being the first from the BDF to complete the Officer Candidate School with the Louisiana National Guard. This is a new program that Belize is participating in under the State Partnership Program with the Louisiana National Guard, where members of the BDF attend officer training in Louisiana along with members of the National Guard – and I’m informed that Lt. Soberanis performed to the highest standards and was outstanding as a representative of the BDF and Belize in general. Congratulations Lieutenant, and we certainly look forward to more officer cadets of your caliber from the BDF going through this program.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Jiancarlos Alpulche. Mr. Alpulche has been accepted to the Class of 2011 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is an institution with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and we wish him every success.
Thank you.