TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 78

Miss Marsden

Planning Staff

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HKG 025/1

16 SEP 1980

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NSK DENGEL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S SPEECH TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

No

Below Bl

Jee

1. I am sorry that because I was off sick for a couple of days last week we have missed your deadline for contributions to the Secretary of State's speech to the UN General Assembly. You asked whether we wished to contribute a short passage on Belize. I think it is worth a mention but since the Secretary of State will be speaking shortly before the next round of talks with the Guatemalans and since there will be a subsequent debate on Belize, the reference can be very short and I would suggest that it be subsumed into the passage on decolonisation. I would suggest something on the following lines.

2. "The colonial status of Belize is increasingly anachronistic. Delegations will be aware that, as urged by UN Resolution A/RES/34/38 of 30 November 1979, new negotiations with the Guatemalans have been taking place since May. We hope that these will lead to a negotiated settlement of Guatemala's invalid claim to sovereignty over the territory and to a secure independence for Belize in the fairly near future. problem to drag on much longer.'

We cannot allow the

F SE Trew

Mexico & Caribbean Dept

8 September 1980

cc:

PS/Mr Ridley Mr Deare, WIAD Mr Clift, HKGD

Min Byd-Mouly

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Pa.

819

2%.

€ 18-77

SS 8/78

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