TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 123

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withouth the scream of "Pontius Pilate" or cries of cynicsm

We need to see the future in regional terms.

Let me take the Belize issue as a second example. Here we have

all the classic symtoms of the almost insoluble problem. First

the evolution within a colonial territory of a classic tradi-

tional form of British Social Democracy

A

Government and

Opposition, a "House of Commons" and certainly free speech.

The political and constitutional development logically leads

itself to independence; but then there is the other historical

feature: way back - 1859 an argument over the fulfillment of

certain Treaty provisions of the then British and Guatemalan

Governments. The issue has been linked into the political

pyschology and military mentality of generations of Guatemalan

leaders. How do we break through? I asked earlier the

question is political compromise justified, even if the

neighbours have, in our view, no rightful historically based

claim, if the end results is a realistic settlement? Belize

is a classic. The options are clear: either we allow the

status quo to continue - a comfortable not very demanding

position in the end the one which successive Governments

-

have lived with. How much longer? The alternatives are clear:

be prepared to fight a limited campaign to bring Belize to

independence, and commit ourselves and/or others to a subsequent

and fairly lengthy military presence and guarantee or seek a

compromise an uncomforable one. That compromise will bring

down the cdium of all the charges of "unfair pressure", "sell

out" "callousness" etc. Those to whom such phrases come

quickly to the lips or pen ought to face up to the alternatives

they are proposing, or condemning the people of Belize.

My

/theme