"
CONFIDENTIAL
But we might in the future, for tactical reasons,
want to invite a visiting mission to Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands, despite the position
of the claimant governments even if we knew our
invitation would be turned down. The arguments
against tying our hands are even stronger in the case of Belize. For various reasons (eg the
support for Belize from some Caribbean states, and the African origin of the inhabitants) the
Committee is likely to be lukewarm towards the Guatemalan claim. We may possibly wish in the
future to take advantage of our participation in
Committee debates to press the Belize case and
even propose a visiting mission. The premier
of Belize already favours this sort of approach.
It would not therefore seem wise to inhibit ourselves
by a self-denying ordinance at this stage.
I recommend that we should make this qualification
to Mr Richard.
NEXT STEPS
31.
(i)
(ii)
Ministers will wish to comment on the
recommendations in paragraphs, 15, 17, 2
43, 29 and 30.
above.
UN Department will then submit a draft
reply from Mr Campbell to Mr Richard
incorporating Ministers decisions.
(iii) At the same time UND will ask our
Embassies to inform the Americans and
the Frenchof the intended changes in
our policy.
(iv) Mr Richard then intends to go over the
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