'kind of running-in period if you like, preparing for the real thing.
During that time Mr George Price and his Ministers have shown a remarkable dedication to achieving the goal of independence which is at last close. I pay tribute to the steadiness, commitment and conviction with which they have pursued this goal.
I feel bound also to express my regret that the represent- atives of the UDP are not present at this opening session of the Conference. We hope that they may yet decide to join in our deliberations, so that we may have the benefit of their personal contribution to our discussion of the Constitution for an independent Belize. We are ready to welcome them here and to discuss any concerns or anxieties that they would wish to raise with us. Measured and constructive discussion at this
conference table, of the constitutional issues, seems to me the most satisfactory way of resolving such differences as may exist. In their absence, we shall of course pay particular attention to the written memoranda that has been submitted to us from Belize.
Equally if they want to discuss the Heads of Agreement with Guatemala with me, or with Lord Carrington, we are ready at any time. I think we would be able to reassure them on these issues.
If adequate preparation is a proper measure, then Belize is ready and has been for a long time. I have been much impressed on my visits to Belize, and I am sure that any other visitor would say the same, by the admirable way in which with quite modest resources Belizeans have learned to manage their own internal affairs and to some extent their external affairs too since authority in some aspects of these has been devolved. No-one can have any doubt that after serving such an extended and unprecedented apprenticeship Belize is fully prepared to take the final step.
The single obstacle that has held up independence for so long has of course been the existence of a territorial claim on the part of Belize's neighbour Guatemala. Continuing efforts were made to resolve this over the years, particularly since 1963. Despite ingenuity and goodwill a solution has been most elusive.
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