UNCLASSIFIED
6945 - 1
SECURITY AFTER INDEPENDENCE
8. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER BRITISH FORCES SHOULD REMAIN AFTER
INDEPENDENCE WILL HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY STUDIED IN THE LIGHT OF
THE NEGOTATIONS WITH GUATEMALA. A FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT
OF THE DISPUTE WILL CREATE CIRCUMSTANCES QUITE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE WHICH LED TO THE STATIONING OF A GARRISON IN BELIZE.
WILL TAKE WHATEVER STEPS SEEM NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE SECURITY
OF BELIZE IN THE LIGHT OF EVENTS AT THE TIME OF INDEPENDENCE.
REFERENDUM
HMG
9. WE NEED TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE EVENTUAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH BELIZE PROCEEDED TO INDEPENDENCE HAD THE GENERAL SUPPORT
OF THE PEOPLE OF BELIZE. BUT IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT FORM
ANY CONSULTATION MIGHT TAKE.
CARRINGTON
BY TELEGRAPH
UKMIS NEW YORK
BIS NEW YORK
WASHINGTON
CARACAS
MEXICO CITY
HAVANA
GUATEMALA CITY
PANAMA CITY
SAN JOSE
TEGUCIGALPA
OTTAWA
KINGSTON
PORT OF SPAIN
GEORGETOWN
BRIDGETOWN
BELMOPAN (PERSONAL)
[PRIORITY]
AND SAVING TO CERTAIN OTHER POSTS
FCO/WHITEHALL
INFORMATION DEPT
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
GUIDANCE
3
UNCLASSIFIED