In late September, Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay committed to joining the other Caricom countries in contributing to the multinational force by sending Belizean soldiers to Haiti to help stabilize the country.
The Minister of Defence today informed us that the preparations are well underway however he will not be the one to decide which soldiers will go.
Florencio Marin, Minister of Defense
"Not everything is decided as yet that Belize will participate, yes, but if you ask me for the details we have not gone through that as yet. What we are hearing is that Kenya will lead the delegation with the support of the United Nations and other big countries but we don't have all the specific details as to when yet. However our BDF and our coast guard are beginning to make the necessary preparations for when the time comes."
"Part of the decision for that will be on the mission that has been defined as to why will troops be going to Haiti and what role will they play, from there the general and admiral Bennett will decide who are the best soldiers to go."
"We have begun to make all the necessary preparations right now. They are planning as to what is needed? The cost? the training? the equipment? All these works need to be looked at before we can deploy the troops."
According to the Minister, although Belize maintains that approximately 60 soldiers will be sent, he anticipates that the numbers may be more.
