TNAG-0927-FCO40-1145-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 12

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THIS END DATES HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO THE GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT

FOR A FURTHER MELTING IN THE ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS WHICH BEGAN

LAST MAY AND WHICH HAVE BEEN HELD IN A CONSTRUCTIVE AND CORDIAL

ATMOSPHERE.

ADDITIONAL POINTS

(A) SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS?

WE SHALL DO OUR UTMOST TO ACHIEVE AGREEMENT. ON INDEPENDENCE, BELIZE WILL JOIN THE UN WHICH WOULD, AS FORESEEN IN THE UN

RESOLUTION, HAVE A ROLE IN ENSURING BELIZE'S SECURITY. WE ARE

LOOKING AT WAYS OF ENHANCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BELIZE DEFENCE

FORCE AND THE POSSIBLE ROLE THE BRITISH FORCES MIGHT PLAY IN THAT. (IF PRESSED) IF THE DISPUTE WERE UNRESOLVED BRITISH FORCES WOULD

REMAIN FOR A LIMITED PERIOD.

(B) BRITISH GARRISON?

THE STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION OF THE BRITISH GARRISON ARE KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW. THERE ARE NO CURRENT PLANS FOR CHANGES.

(C) ORIGIN OF UN RESOLUTION?

THE RESOLUTION WAS DRAFTED BY THE BELIZEANS AND TABLED BY THEIR SUPPORTERS IN THE UN. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT LATER CO-SPONSORED IT (ALONG WITH 55 OTHER COUNTRIES) BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY RIGHT

THAT BALIZE SHOULD BE ENABLED TO ACHIEVE THE EARLY INDEPENDENCE TO WHICH IT ASPIRES,

(D) ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE?

AS IS USUAL WITH SUCH CONFERENCES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL INVITE LEADERS OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES AND OF OTHER BELIZEAN INTEREST GROUPS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.

(E) INDEPENDENCE DATE?

THIS WILL BE A MATTER FOR DISCUSSION AT THE CONFERENCE. AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IS HOW LONG THE VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURES TAKE TO COMPLETE AND A PERIOD OF TIME WILL HAVE TO ELAPSE BETWEEN ROYAL ASSENT BEING GIVEN TO THE INDEPENDENCE BILL AND THE INDEPENDENCE DAY ITSELF, HOWEVER, THE UN RESOLUTION CALLS FOR BELIZE TO BE FULLY INDEPENDENT BEFORE THE 36TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDS (A NEW STATE CAN ONLY BECOME A MEMBER OF

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/THE UN