Mr Livesey HKGD
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Reference
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PRIVATE MEMBERS' MOTION: DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: 15 APRIL
11/4
W20
1. Your minute of 31 March. You asked for a contribution on Belize.
2.
Belize had internal self-government since 1964 but full independence was delayed by Guatemala's long-standing claim to their territory. The People's United Party (PUP) led by Mr George Price has won all the general elections held since 1964. It has stood from the first on an independence platform. At the last election in November 1979 the PUP won 13 of the 18 parliamentary seats. There was thus a large majority in Belize in favour of
independence.
3.
In November 1980 a UN General Assembly resolution reaffirming Belize's right to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity was approved by 139 votes to nil with seven abstentions. The Resolution called on Britain to convene a Constitutional Conference to bring Belize to early independence, and urged Britain and Guatemala to continue their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement. A target date was set for Belize's independence before the end of the 36th (i.e. 1981) session of the General Assembly. In view of the overwhelming international call for Belize to be granted independence in addition to local support within Belize HMG decided to meet the target date set by the United Nations and indpendence was granted on 21 September 1981.
4.
Moves to settle the territorial dispute with Guatemala continued in parallel with arrangements for independence for Belize. Talks continued to take place up to August 1981, when efforts to achieve a solution failed to reach a final agreement. Since independence it has been HMG's policy to encourage the two parties to reach an agreement. There have been three rounds of talks at which Britain was also represented, although we could not negotiate on Belize's behalf. No agreement has yet been reached.
At the time of independence it was agreed that the British garrison would remain for an appropriate period. This is still the case.
5.
CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
11 April 1983
for
PP J A Stevens
Mexico and Central America Department
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