TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 133

CONFIDENTIAL

GUATEMALA: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S POSITION

1.

Guatemala broke off diplomatic relations with the UK in 1963 and

consular relations in 1981, both times over the question of Belize. We

have always been willing to re-establish relations and welcomed the recent

resumption of consular relations on 19 August 1986. The communiqués

issued by the UK and Guatemala then expressed the hope that full diplomatic relations would be re-established before the end of the year. The British Government have appointed a Consul in Guatemala City.

Embassy of El Salvador in London will continue to look after Guatemalan

consular affairs until a Guatemalan representative is appointed.

The

2. Elections for a civilian government were held in Guatemala in November/December 1985 which were generally acknowledged by independent

observers to be free and fair. The Christian Democratic Party won a majority of seats in the National Assembly and their Presidential

candidate, Sr Vinicio Cerezo, gained about 70% of the votes in the second

round run-off. President Cerezo was inaugurated and the new Government

installed on 14 January 1986. The British Government welcomed these

elections in Guatemala and hopes that all sectors of Guatemalan society will work to consolidate the new democratic system.

3. The UK is still concerned at the appalling record of human rights abuses in Guatemala. We have consistently expressed this concern in the relevant United Nations organisations and have called for improvements.

In the absence of official relations with Guatemala, the UK has been

unable to make any direct representations to the Government of Guatemala. Although consular relations with Guatemala were resumed on 19 August, the British Government remains unable to make representations to the Guatemalan authorities on subjects such as human rights abuses since these

fall outside the scope of consular functions laid down by the Vienna

Convention on Consular Relations. For diplomatic purposes, the UK continues to be represented by the Swiss Federal Authorities in Guatemala. President Cerezo has stated that he intends to tackle the problem of human rights abuses. Since taking office he has disbanded the notorious Police Special Investigations Department and has set up a new independent Human Rights Commission. The UK hope that an early and significant improvement in human rights can be achieved.

15 September 1986

CONFIDENTIAL

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