Speeches

Signing Ceremony for Ambassador's Small Grants for HIV/AIDS and Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation - October 10, 2006

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter (middle) stands with recipients of grants

Welcome, and thank you for joining us.  We are here today in furtherance of the long friendship and tradition of cooperation between our nations – links that range from trade to tourism, from migration to education. 

Between FY2001-FY2006 the US has averaged more than US$2.5 million annually in assistance to Belize.  This includes hundreds of thousands of dollars in worthwhile projects that promote education, help protect the environment, and improve our mutual security through military assistance and training.

 I now have the honor of announcing that U.S. Government funding for projects that aim to raise awareness and reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and funding to preserve Belize’s cultural resources. 

First, an issue of critical importance for all of us:  HIV/AIDS.  The United States is increasing its commitment to partner with Belize in an effort to reduce HIV/AIDS.  Through the Ambassador’s Fund for HIV/AIDS the U.S. Government is contributing an additional US$25,000 to prevent its spread and to help those who are already afflicted.  Since 2003 this fund has contributed a total of US$80,000 to help reduce HIV/AIDS in Belize.  This is in addition to money Belize receives though the Global Fund initiative of which the United States is by far the largest contributor.  I’d like to recognize the contribution of Darlene Gentle, economic officer, who does tremendous work in coordinating our HIV/AIDS projects and selecting the grantees.

Second, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is making a contribution to the Belize’s efforts to preserve it cultural heritage. Belize is home to many natural treasures and a rich cultural history and I am please to announce the award of US$54,000 to fund the Lamanai Historic Monuments Conservation Project which will conserve the old sugar mill and two Spanish colonial period churches in that area. 

Last year, this fund contributed nearly US$46,000 to preserve the Mayan temple at Cerros.   That was one of the largest grants in the program. This year, eighty-seven projects in seventy-six countries were awarded grants.  I am pleased to announce that the grant to the Lamanai historic projects is the third largest worldwide.  Thanks go to Denise Nisbet for her hard work in coordination with Mr. Yasser Musa, President of NIST and Dr. Jaime Awe, Director, Institute of Archaeology.

Contributions from the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation not only protect the roots of the past, but also nurture the seeds of the future by creating opportunities for new tourist attractions.    

The contributions announced today are examples of the United States commitment to continue to assist Belizean civil society and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to improve people’s health and well-being.

In closing, I again thank you all for coming, and for sharing in this event.