Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973–1976

229. Telegram 157065 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Guatemala and the Consulate General in Belize¹

Washington, June 24, 1976, 2121Z.

157065. Subject: Belize Negotiations: June Session Makes Some Progress.

Summary: June session appears to have made reasonable prog-ress. Atmosphere was friendly and both sides appear to have approached talks in constructive fashion. Next session scheduled for July 13 in New York. End summary.

1. UK Embassy officers called on CEN June 13 to give us a rundown on recently concluded New York talks. UN Ambassador Ivor Richards headed UK team. Luis Aycinena headed GOG delegation, which included Roberto Herrera and General Rene Mendoza. Rafael Fonseca of Belize attended June 15–17 session as Price’s representative.

2. On first day Guatemalans presented a rewritten version of draft treaty originally proposed by UK in April. As several aspects of Guatemalan draft were unacceptable to UK [less than 1 line not declassified] their delegation [less than 1 line not declassified] rewrote unacceptable portions, taking care to preserve, as much as possible, language originally proposed by GOG. British then presented their revised draft to Guatemalans on June 16. Following the day’s discussion it was Guatemalans’ turn to put in some late hours. On June 17 Guatemalans tabled their redraft of previous day’s British effort. Copies of the three drafts being pouched to Guatemala and Belize with notations as to which articles have been agreed to and which are still under discussion. Please hold documents closely.

3. According to UK, three-day session saw considerable narrowing of differences between the two sides. Substantial agreement was achieved on a number of articles of a draft treaty and British are hopeful of further progress being achieved in July. By mutual agreement, key questions of any territorial concessions and fixing of maritime boundaries were not discussed. They are being left to the end of the negotiation process.

4. British said treaty as now stands puts real constraints on the freedom of action an independent Belize would have. Whatever is agreed to in the treaty will be written into future constitution. British also raised Cuban issue directly with Guatemalans and offered to put in an article that would bar Belize from entering into a defense treaty quote with any nation that was not a member of the OAS or the Commonwealth unquote. Guatemalans were interested and said they would study idea. UK also offered, in lieu of building a new port for Guatemala, to open all Belizean ports to Guatemalan goods on the basis of equal access with Belizean goods.

5. UK officers urged that when we talk to Guatemalans about Belize we reiterate British are negotiating seriously and are determined to reach a settlement. Quote Further delay is no longer a viable option unquote.

6. CEN officers also discussed talks informally on two occasions with General Mendoza. He too thought the negotiations had been constructive and were making reasonable progress.

7. Both sides obviously have next UN General Assembly in mind in their approach to negotiations. It seems evident that GOG at least wants to build a record of good faith progress to forestall another UN resolution. It is also possible this is, by and large, extent of motivation for current cooperative GOG attitude, though Mendoza indicates time factor is recognized by some elements in GOG as being conducive to partial or full settlement now. Current relatively good image of military and heightened domestic popularity as spillover from earthquake performance may give them the confidence necessary to accept a compromise settlement now, as distasteful as it would be, because of knowledge that if question goes to UN again, pressures for immediate independence on less favorable terms for Guatemala will surely increase. Vamos a ver.

Robinson

1. Summary: During a briefing on the status of the Belize negotiations at the Office of Central American Affairs, British officials urged the Department to reiterate to the Guatemalan Government that they were determined to reach a settlement, and that delay was not a viable option.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760245–0587. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to London, Mexico City, and USCINCSO. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. In telegram 137667 to Belize City, Guatemala City, and London, June 4, the Department reported that Moreton had indicated that the Belizeans had “no intention of giving up any territory and that to do so would make post independence for the Government of Belize virtually impossible.” (Ibid., D760216–0542) In telegram 5025 from Guatemala City, July 14, the Embassy reported that the Guatemalan Government had requested a postponement of its next negotiating session. (Ibid., D760271–0606)