…as GDF’s Annual Officers’ Conference opens
By Svetlana Marshall
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Irfaan Ali, in detailing Guyana’s new National Defence Policy, said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will benefit from increased military resources that would allow it to effectively monitory the country’s territory.
“The Defence Force will be strengthened to better execute its mandate. The force will continue to be recapitalized, and will benefit from the acquisition of equipment, aircraft and marine vessels, which will allow it to exercise improve surveillance over Guyana’s territory- its land, territorial sea and its Exclusive Economic Zone,” President Ali said in his inaugural address at GDF’s Annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre.
He said the country’s National Defence Policy, which is predicated on a commitment to maintain peace, is grounded on four pillars, among them, institution. However, he said a stronger Force does not necessarily mean a larger force.
“We are building a stronger Defence Force with emphasis on increased use of technology and intelligence, so that we can know what is occurring on our borders, and within our territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone,” President Ali said as he unscored the importance of strengthening the institutional capacity of the Force.
A well-equipped Force, the Head of State said, will allow it to respond adequately to threats to the country’s territory and people including responses to emergencies and national disasters.
The Commander-in-Chief said while the Defence Policy will be guided by the country’s desire for peace and the protection of its national patrimony, it will not give into intimidation.
“But while we are a peaceful state, no one should underestimate our resolve at protecting our territory, and safeguarding the national sovereignty. Let not our peaceful intent be mistaken for weakness, as I said recently, we will not bend to threats…” the President warned.
The President’s stern warning, and move to boost the capacity of the Guyana Defence Force come in light of recent acts of aggression by Venezuela, which included the illegal detention of 12 fishermen and their vessels within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and a decree by President Nicholas Maduro establishing a new maritime territory – “a territory for the development of the Atlantic Façade.”
On that note, the President expressed gratitude on behalf of Guyana for the overwhelming support received in recent weeks, which resulted in the fishermen and their vessels being released on February 3. Trinidad and Tobago, as the chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), had played a leading role in holding discussions with both Venezuela and Guyana for the safe return of the fishermen.
Fortification of National Security through the pursuit of a foreign policy was also among the pillars put forward by President Ali. He explained that that pillar places great emphasis on respect for international law and the protection of Guyana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
He posited that the country’s first line of defence is diplomacy, and in doing so, it will always demonstrate respect for international law.
“In this regard, we pose our utmost faith in international law; we will continue to ensure respect for international law by seeking solidarity of regional and international organizations to which we belong, including the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American State, the African and Caribbean Pacific Group, the Caribbean Community,” the President said.
INDIVIDUAL AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION
Individual and National Integration are the two other pillars that form part of the country’s Defence Policy.
President Ali said his Government intends on improving the wellbeing of the members of the Defence Force. As a first step, he said the Administration, through the GDF, will provide scholarships and training opportunities for both ranks and officers. Further to that, he announced the roll out of a housing programme that will see some 150 soldiers receiving house lots and or housing units.
“I am pleased to say to you that we have already communicated with the Chief-of-Staff to have 150 officers and ranks pre-qualify with the banks for the first roll out of not only house lots but housing facilities,” the President announced to loud rounds of applause.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn were among the high ranking officials present during the opening ceremony of the Officers’ conference. The Conference is being held under the theme “Enhancing National Security and Development through Capacity Building, Empowering Troops and Strengthening Community Relations.”
