TNAG-1001-FCO40-1237-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-including--Report-of-the-1981 — Page 78

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The latest round, which began in Bermuda almost a year ago, was intense, determined and imbued throughout by our joint resolve that Belizean independence could not be indefinitely postponed. This perhaps lent a new element of urgency and realism to the negotiations.

I would not wish to tempt providence by saying that success is assured. To say that would be premature. But I do honestly believe that the Heads of Agreement signed in London on 11 March provide a basis on which a just, honourable and mutually beneficial settlement of this long standing problem can be built, a settlement which will enable Belize to go to independence with the assurance of a peaceful and friendly relationship witn all its neighbours. Much work remains to be done on that front, but

we can address ourselves to our business at this Constitutional Conference with optimism.

I wish to refer to one issue which has I know been upper- most in many Belizean minds the future security of an

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independent Belize. The situation facing Belize may well have changed markedly with the signing of the Heads of Agreement last month. For the first time there is now the real prospect of Belize proceeding to independence free of external threat. The outcome of the forthcoming Treaty negotiations with Guatemala will clearly influence the defence provisions that will need to

be made. I want, however, to make clear now, that for its part Her Majesty's Government intends to make arrangements for the future security of Belize which will be appropriate to the circumstances, whatever they may be. There is no question of our abandoning our rightful responsibilities.

Belize has not been merely a matter of bilateral concern over all these years. Increasingly it has occupied the attention of the international community. Support for Belizean self- determination has grown steadily. The United Nations Fourth Committee and the General Assembly have passed annual Resolutions which have gained increasing support, which not only endorsed the principle of Belizean independence but set a time frame for achieving it. I would like to pay tribute to the Belizean

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