2008 Speeches

Handing-Over Ceremony of Trucks to the Belize Defence Force and Belize National Coast Guard (March 27, 2008) 

Price Barracks
Ladyville, Belize

(L-R) Belize Defence Force Commander Colonel Dario Tapia, Belize National Coast Guard Service Lt. Commander Johnnie Borland, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development Honourable Michael Hutchinson, and U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter.

It is my great pleasure to represent the United States Government today at the handing over ceremony of the trucks donated to the Belize Defence Force and the Belize National Coast Guard under the Foreign Military Financing Program and the U.S. Department of Defense Counter-Drug Assistance Program.  The BDF is receiving three Isuzu Troop carriers valued at over US$122,000.  The Coast Guard is receiving a seven-ton truck that will be used as a fuel truck and a 1.5 ton truck troop carrier.  These trucks are valued at over US$92,000.

The Foreign Military Financing program provides grants and loans to help countries purchase U.S.-produced weapons, defense equipment, defense services and military training.  Belize received $198,000 in 2006 from this program and in 2007 received $175,000.  The FMF program does not provide cash grants.  Instead, a program is developed in mutual consultations with the leadership of the BDF and our MLO office to identify equipment, services and training needs.

The Department of Defense Counter Drug Assistance program was designed to support counter-drug programs throughout the world.  Assistance is approved annually in conjunction with a country’s current counter-drug plan.  Belize received over US$122,000 last year and is forecast to receive over US$250,000 this year.  These trucks will enhance the Coast Guard’s capabilities and support its security mission and counter drug plan.

Also this year we have several other significant events happening in Belize.  There will be two Medical Training Exercises being conducted.  The first will be in the Stann Creek District in the villages of San Juan, Independence, Trio, Red Bank, Morale Day, and Bella Vista from 3-17 May 2008.  The second Medical Training Exercises will be held in the Cayo District from 21 June – 5 July 08, the exact villages will be determined sometime in May.

US Army South will be conducting the “Beyond the Horizons” exercise in Belize from 26 April – 28 May 08.  During this time members of the Utah National Guard will be visiting past school building projects and renovating them as needed.  These were school building projects our military constructed with the assistance of the BDF light engineering company.  The  project sites to be visited are the Trial Farm and Carmelita Schools in Orange Walk District; Crooked Tree, Biscayne, and Hattieville Schools in Belize District; and Delille Academy and Light of the Valley Baptist schools in the Dangria District.

I am proud of this donation, and proud of the U.S. Mission’s work with the Belize Defence Force and National Coast Guard.  This donation of equipment is the result of cooperation and planning that will benefit the people of Belize and assist the BDF and BNCG in their security mission.  It’s another example of good work through partnership.  I look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Belize Defence Force and the Belize National Coast Guard. 

Thank you all for attending.