BELIZE
Internal self-government was introduced in January 1964; the Governor retains responsibility for external affairs, defence, internal security and the public service. There is a Cabinet consisting of the Premier and an unspecified number of other Ministers (at present nine), and a bicameral legislature con- sisting of a Senate (eight appointed members) and a House of Representatives (18 members elected by universal adult suffrage).
The People's
General Elections were held in October 1974. United Party, which had formed the previous government were re- elected but their majority was reduced from 17 to 12 seats. The Opposition Party the United Imocratic Party obtained six seats. The next General Election is to be held not later than
December 1979.
Belize has been ready for full independence for 14 years. The only obstacle to independence is the long-standing claim by Guatemala to the territory of Belize. Proposals for a settlement, made by a United States mediator in 1968, were rejected by Belize and were therefore unacceptable to the British Government. It remains British policy to bring Belize to an early and secure independence, which will enable her to play a full and constructive part in the life of the region. Britain believes that the best way of achieving this is through a negotiated settlement of our differences with Guatemala, and that is the course she has been pursuing persistently for a number of years. Any settlement would of course have to be acceptable to the Government and people of Belize.
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