theirnewlyelected Government. Thischoicewasfreelymade,withoutcoercion, without bloodshed andwithout recrimination, andBelizeans havechosenaGovernment dedicatedtothecauseoffreedan, personal independence anddemocraticdevelopment. ThetaskoftheflewGovernment nowistodemonstrate theboldness ofaction necessary totranslate beliefs andprinciples intoreality, proceeding inthe confidence thatwithintheBelizean peopleliethepowerandthewilltotransform t.~eirlivesandthelifeofthenation. OUrmostiuportant goalistostimulate economic growthandmovethenationto increased employment andprosperity. Accordingly, domestic policies arebeingput intoeffectaimedatdignifying Belizeans inallwalksoflife. Inheriting aneconomy thathasbeenvirtually crippled bytheburdens imposed uponusbythelimitations ofthepast,aswellasthegreater problems arising fromunsatisfactory worldeconomic conditions, wedonotpretend tofaceaneasy task. Wearenotaloneindecrying theexternal factors overwhichwehaveno controlandwhichhaveprovedascourge toeverydeveloping country.Wecontinue tofaceadecline inboththemarkets andthepricesoffered forourprimaryMLG/elllv A/40/PV.27 39-40 (Mr.Barrow. Belize) products mainlybecause ofprotectionist policies adopted bytheimporting countries. Ouraccesstointernational financial assistance becomes moreandmore limited withtheimposition ofmoredifficult -andattimessocially unacceptable -conditions forborrowing andrepayment. Andthedebtburden grows heavier withtheriseininternational interest rates. WhileweadherefUllytotheprinciple ofobserving international obligations. weurgethefinancial community tolookwithfavouratproposals toreducethe crushing burdenofdebtrepayments. Theconcept -already developed bysomeofour sisterLatinAmerican nations -oflinking repayments toexportearnings, is clearly ameritorious one. : IRH/ A/40/PV.27 41 (Mr.Barrow, Belize) InhisreporttotheunitedNations thisyear,theSecretary-General makes point~:! reference totheinclination ofmanycountries toresorttoprotectionism tosolvetheirownproblems attheexpense ofothercountries. Wetoolamentthis trendt'Owards economic nationalism andurgetheimplementation ofauniversal legal principle ofobligation toenhance thedevelopment ofless-advantaged peoples. The problems ofpoorercountries mustcontinue tobethefocusofattention, andthe ccuntervailing growthofquasi-regionalism andbilateralism amongthebigcountries mustberetarded. Apillarofourowneconomic development inBelizeisthefreeenterprise system. Butitisdifficult forthosewhowanttobelieve inthewisdomofthe systemtocontemplate itscontinuing unfairness, wheretheindustrialized world witholds necessary assistance andco-operation; wheremultilateral financial institutions injectpolitical considerations intoeligibility criteriaJ andwhere sovereign Governments aretoldthattheymustacceptexternally imposed macro-economic prescriptions orfaceintolerable contractions inthefinancial flowsfromworldlendinginstitutions. Freeenterprise shouldservetheinterests ofdevelopment, notchallenge the basesofourfragile economies, noractastheinstrument forthefurther impoverishment ofpoorsocieties. Anddeveloping nationslikeBelize, withsmall openeconomies, mustwageaconstant struggle topreserve theirindependence and theirsovereignty inthefaceofthegeopolitical realities ofimplied coercion in anincreasingly bipolar world. AsasmallCentral American andCaribbean State~Belize's foreign policymust ofnecessity proj~t domestic concerns butbebasedontheprinciples ofpeaceful coexistence, political pluralism, non-interference intheinternal affairs ofother nations andthepea~eful resolution ofdisputes. Wemustvigilantly and unselfishly actinsolidarity withothersmallstatesexperiencing similar problems andsharing commonconcerns.RH/ A/40/PV.27 42 (Mr.Barrow, Belize) Thesearetheprinciples thatguideBelize's relationship withmembers ofthe Caribbean co"~unity, whosharewithusakinship bornofacommoncultural heritage, acommonhistor.y andacommoncolonial experience. Wearecommitted to actinginconcert withourCaribbean sisterstatestomakethesubregional grouping moreeffective, moreintegrated andmorerepresentative oftheaspirations ofour people. Andweurgetheco-operation ofextraregional nations withthepolicythat theCaribbean bemadeazoneofpeace. Inthenormalcourseofevents, thereisalsoacoincidence ofinterests with thelargerhemispheric nations, particularly theUnitedstates. MyGovernment,
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or report by the Prime Minister of Belize, focusing on the country's economic development, international trade, and foreign policy. The speaker highlights the challenges Belize faces, including debt burden, protectionist policies, and limited access to international financial assistance. The text also touches on the importance of free enterprise, sovereignty, and solidarity with other small states.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade