THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is fully aware of the threats to the nation’s territorial sovereignty on both its eastern and western borders and Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, has informed that diplomacy will be the first line of defense, even as he committed the army to safeguarding democracy within the nation’s borders. 

Brigadier Phillips made the disclosure yesterday when he addressed the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar, and the top brass of the military at the Annual Officers’ Conference.
Also in attendance were Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira; Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh; Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud and Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, among others.
President Ramotar and Brigadier Phillips were at the time the key Chieftains at the army’s calendar event held at Base Camp, Ayangana in Georgetown.

The 2015 Officer’s Conference is also being held as part of the GDF’s Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations, and a special philatelic keepsake marking the 50th Milestone was unveiled.

SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
In his address to the ranks gathered at the Force’s Headquarters for the signature event, Brigadier Phillips pronounced: “We in the GDF remain fully aware of the serious external threats to our existence as a State, as our country continue to be subjected to territorial claims from our neighbours to the east and to the west.”
With his sentiments well received, Brigadier Phillips went on to say that the GDF will be pursuing collaboration in pursuit of a resolution since “diplomacy is our first line of defense.”
He added too that this will be pursued even as the GDF remains “committed to safeguarding democracy in Guyana.”
The nation’s interest, the Brigadier stressed, is the “security and survival of the state, the pursuit of the social and economic development for our people and the need to develop and strengthen the infrastructure, the national institutions and the mechanisms for national unity.”
Addressing the corps of army leaders for the second time at its helm, Brigadier Phillips stressed that sustained and diversified training will remain key among the force’s objectives as 2015 unfolds.
Greater operational readiness, according to Brigadier Phillips, will also require building partnerships, “with our public and private sector agencies and other stakeholders in our national security probate.”
MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY
To this end, the Army’s top military officer assured President Ramotar that the ranks of the GDF are trained for military and non-military missions, inclusive of search and rescue both on land and sea as well as disaster relief activities.
He pointed too to the support over the years that have been provided to the law enforcement agencies to counter illicit trafficking along with other anti-crime operations.
He was making reference to law enforcement agencies such as the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit.
“We are also proud to be contributing to the delivery of medical emergency services and educational needs of Guyanese in remote communities like Kaikan and New River,” Brigadier Phillips said.
Addressing the ranks gathered at Camp Ayangana for the two-day event, the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramtoar, firstly congratulated those ranks recently promoted before delivering the charge to the officers that will take part in the confab.
The 2015 GDF Officer’s Conference is being held under the theme: ‘Towards Greater Operational Readiness, for National Defence and Security.’
Addressing the recently promoted ranks directly, President Ramotar urged that they be cognisant of the fact that their successes were also influenced by many other persons through support and commitment.
“Do not betray their confidence,” President Ramotar exhorted.

(By Gary Eleazar)