166. Telegram 1408 From the Embassy in Guatemala to the Department of State1
1408. Subject: FonMin Arenales Will Not Meet With British Representative. Ref: Guatemala 1098.
1. During conversation this morning FonMin Arenales told me he did not repeat not intend meet with British Representative in Washington during OASGA for informal discussion Belize problem. Arenales said that since Commonwealth Caribbean countries had chosen to speak out in favor of Belize during Panama UNSC, making it necessary for Guatemala observer to reply, time was not now propitious for such informal meeting. Arenales said British agreed with his position and he now hoped informal discussions could take place in July.
2. Arenales said GOG continues to hope Belize problem will remain dormant during pre-electoral period and that GOG will not be forced to speak out publicly on subject, as any public statements would have to be tough and inflexible. He is still worried that any meeting with British would leak and that opposition here would attempt make political capital out of Belize question.
3. Change of name earlier this month from “British Honduras” to “Belize” caused no ripples here, although press routinely reported it. Arenales said that during press conference he prompted question on name change and explained to reporters that “Guatemala could hardly complain about the change since it had always called this piece of its territory Belize.”
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Summary: During a conversation with Ambassador Bowdler, Foreign Minister Arenales indicated that he did not plan to discuss the Belize problem with British representatives during the OAS General Assembly and expressed the hope that the issue would remain dormant prior to the 1974 elections.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Confidential. Repeated to London and Belize City. Telegram 1098 from Guatemala City was not found. In telegram 146 from Belize City, March 22, the Consulate had reported that the British Honduras House of Representatives had voted to change the colony’s name to Belize. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) In its FY 74–75 CASP, sent as an attachment to airgram A–12 from Belize City, March 30, the Consulate characterized the basic U.S. interest as preventing disruptions that might result from British Honduras’s attainment of independence. (Ibid., Central Files 1970–73, POL–BR HOND–US) In a memorandum to Jova, December 7, 1972, Pezzullo warned that British failure to reach an agreement with the Guatemalans might cause a split in the OAS on the issue of British observer status. (Ibid., ARA/CEN Files, Lot 76D139, Chron Memorandum BH–1973) In telegram 63782 to American Republic posts, April 6, 1973, the Department reported that procedural arguments by Guatemala, Argentina, and Venezuela prevented the proposed British observer status from making it onto the OAS agenda. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number])
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