The Belize Defense Force this morning got US$158,000 worth of uniforms and equipment from the U.S. government. For a very small defense force like the one we have it is meaningful especially considering that the military budget is minuscule and often times soldiers working on the country's security often have to do with even less that bare minimum. Commander of the BDF Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett and the U.S. Ambassador to Belize Robert Dieter say the donation forges better ties between Belize and the U.S.
Robert Dieter, U.S. Ambassador
"The material that we provide to the BDF allows them to utilize their budget in better ways, more efficient ways, for them to help their operations and so by us providing uniforms it means they don't have to spend money on the uniforms, they can use it for fuel or other of their needs. We're happy as I said to provide materials to the BDF and they've shown that they provide the professional troops to utilize those materials in a very effective way."
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, BDF Commander
"This donation helps us because we are able to better utilize our budget to buy other types of equipment and uniforms that we need to ensure the operational readiness of the BDF. We do not plan for any donations in any particular year, if people feel they have something to contribute to the BDF, then we utilize that and make adjustment in terms of other equipment that we'd like to buy."
The U.S. is expected to make another donation shortly when the Belize Coast Guard gets another stinger type vessel. The U.S. government provides about US$200,000 in aid to the Belize Defense Force yearly.
