TNAG-1001-FCO40-1237-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-including--Report-of-the-1981 — Page 84

policy that they are absent today.

Turning now to the recent disturbances in Belize, I wish to emphasise that these do not, I repeat, do not arise out of any popular feeling against independence. The contrary view seems to be indicated by the widespread participation of the community on Government's proposals on the constitution.

The debate and the demands made by those who led the

disturbances at home is on an entirely separate issue of the Heads of Agreement of March 11, 1981, made between the United Kingdom and Guatemala. The demands are for a referendum on the Heads of Agreement and a rejection of Government's promise to put to the people any specific agreement or agreements arising out of the negotiating machinery organised by the Heads of Agreement.

It is

a pity that these groups, most of which can only claim to represent pockets of opinion, have chosen to introduce terror and violence into our society as a means of expressing a point of view. It must be clear therefore that the issue of independence was resolved as the major issue at the last general elections in November 1979.

It must be recalled as well that from last year the inter- national community, yourselves and ourselves agreed to a timetable for achieving this clear national objective. Since then we have witnessed no objection or resistance to the concept or the programme for its implementation save from the Government of Guatemala. We cannot therefore confuse our purpose or prejudice the democratically expressed will of the Belizean people with these side issues. We have a responsibility to bring Belize to independence and to do so on the approved and accepted schedule deliberately settled last year.

We look forward. We must take the measured steps to achieve our common objectives which were anticipated a year ago. In doing so we must find time while we are in London to begin to discuss those other matters included in our programme. I refer to the request by the United Nations of the United Kingdom, as the administering power, to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of Belize. I refer also, to the post-independence cooperation between our two

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