Speeches

Official Opening of U.S. Embassy Belmopan - December 11, 2006

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the U.S. Embassy Belmopan.  I want to thank you for braving the elements – but we can’t control Mother Nature.

Although actual construction of the Embassy commenced in April 2005, the inspiration for this facility actually began when PM George Price met with U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz and received confirmation of the United States’ commitment to the young nation of Belize.

At that time, Secretary Shultz committed to eventually constructing an American embassy in the new nation’s capital city.  This building and all of the people who work here – American and Belizean – represent the realization of that vision.

This building also represents the vision of General Williams who has been the driving force behind the revitalization of the new embassy building program for the State Department.  Thank you, General Williams, for your leadership on behalf of the missions around the world.  Rest assured that the mission here will take good care of the building you have entrusted to us. 

For many decades, the United States and Belize have enjoyed a strong and friendly relationship.  Many Belizeans visit our nation every year and thousands of Belizean-Americans live in the United States.  Similarly, thousands of U.S. citizens live in Belize and each year upwards of 800,000 visit Belize.  Trade between our two countries is robust, as are U.S. financial and in-kind contributions to Belize’s economy and infrastructure.   This new embassy complex – a portion of which you will have the opportunity to see a bit later – is a tangible manifestation of that strong relationship.  This compound represents a $50 million investment in Belize’s economy.  The project has created many new jobs and provided opportunities for job training and skills improvement in construction, welding, and facilities maintenance – to name a few.  And of course, there are now over 100 additional people working in Belmopan who will have a positive impact on the city’s economy and civic life. 

This new Embassy not only represents our countries’ strong relationship, but also points to the accelerated development of the capital.  And it is important to understand that as the city grows, as investment is made and jobs created, the city’s infrastructure must keep pace.  Because of the U.S. Embassy’s presence in Belmopan and the several other country missions that have relocated here within the last year, the number of people traveling to this city will increase dramatically.  Tourists visiting Belize will also be drawn to Belmopan and its nearby attractions.  The number of people living and working in the Garden City will grow, thereby increasing demands on city services.  Leaders at the local and national levels must seek new and innovative ways to meet these growing demands.  I especially welcome the recent commitment by the government of Belize – together with the assistance of the city government – to begin paving the roads accessing the Embassy compound.  This will be a welcome – and needed – improvement.  It will assist the citizens of the city and the people accessing the embassy for services, and stand as a statement of the importance of your capital city as a bridge between Central America and the Caribbean. 

It is our expectation that this Embassy will become a part of the Belmopan community.  The facility offers a new venue for lectures, exhibits and other programs that are of interest to all Belizeans.   As many of you know, in addition to the new Embassy, Belmopan is home to a new housing development for the American employees – who look forward to becoming active members of the community. 

I want to extend a thank you to the construction crews.  In a little under 18 months they turned a barren field into the wonderful, modern complex we see today.

I especially want to thank the hard-working embassy staff who have put in long hours – many on evenings and weekends – to make the move work smoothly and then really outdid themselves to put together this opening ceremony.

Thank you also to the BDF Band for participating in this ceremony and especially to the Louisiana National Guard and its fine band for making the trip here to share in this occasion.  You’ll notice in your program that the LANG band will be joining with the Belize Defence Force Band for a Christmas concert in Belize City tomorrow night.  We appreciate the Guard’s presence here today.  Their presence speaks to their generosity and strong commitment to the long-standing state partnership program with the Belize Defence Force.

Before closing, I’d like to read a message I received recently dated December 8.  It begins:

“Dear Friends:
Congratulations as you dedicate the new United States Embassy in Belize.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice on behalf of our Nation.  I appreciate your efforts to advance America’s interests in Belize and encourage international goodwill and understanding.  Your hard work and dedication play an important role in promoting development and cooperation in Central American and the Caribbean.  You bring great credit to our Nation, and I am proud of the fine job you are doing.  Best wishes for your continued success.  Sincerely, George W. Bush”

I’d like to again thank all of you for being with us today to share this important moment in U.S. Embassy history and U.S.-Belize relations.  The U.S. Mission is pleased to be here, pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Belize, and pleased to show you our new home.