“This is the day of commemoration - the defining moment in our nation’s history 26 years ago, in the long struggle for the freedom and independence of Belize.”

Continued the P.M., “We greet you today as a proud sovereign nation yet mindful that prayerful humility is our strength and our salvation”……

“Just as it is a day of celebration, it is also a day of national consecration. First we thank Almighty GOD for having shown us mercy during hurricanes Dean and Felix. We suffered heavy losses with the passage of the former, but no loss of life.”

Mr. Musa spoke of the significant steps taken by his government to protect and preserve our country’s natural resources, pursuing economic growth and sustainable development while safeguarding a full quarter of our land in pristine protected areas.

He contrasted the path of civil war and violent revolution taken during and after the independence struggle by many countries in the Americas with the path of the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution. “In Belize, no blood was shed in the suppression of individual liberty and the defense of democracy”.

“There are many places in the world today where human rights are routinely denied. The Constitution and the Courts ensure that there are rights held by every individual in Belize which no government, and no majority, however powerful, can deny.”

Turning to the crime situation in Belize which this government has been combating relentlessly on all fronts- with more and better trained, better equipped better mobilized police officers with better intelligence capability- The Prime Minister made it clear that for safety and security to prevail in our streets and neighbourhoods, “public order is of paramount importance. “

“To the resentment of the law abiding, even the notorious criminals and drug traffickers seek refuge under the Constitution in the arm of defence lawyers. This is the price of democracy”. But democracy itself will be subverted if order is not upheld. Freedom will not be safeguarded “without standing firm on the side of public order and justice for all”. No Order, No Justice. No Justice, No peace.

The P.M. was particularly scathing in his remarks about the preachers of “nauseating cynicism” and “the purveyors of hate, suspicion and mistrust”.

“Cynicism is luxury we cannot afford. Negativity drains the human spirit, It paralyzes when as a people we need positive energy to keep on working, moving forward. No turning back… The builders of Belize are a people of faith, hope and love”

“If George Price had yielded to the paroxysm of cynicism that racked Belize in 1981, he would never have led us to independence. He believed in the capacity of Belizeans to govern themselves. He believed in Belize.”….

“In 26 years we have proven that as a people we are capable of self-government, capable of making difficult choices and capable of adapting to changing times. Together we can make the years ahead among our nation’s finest”.

In winding up what can only be described as a superb well crafted address, Prime Minister Musa encapsulated the values of an independent Belize that will lead to greater social progress:

“Freedom for all, Responsibility by all, Fairness for all.”