188. Telegram 4939 From the Embassy in Guatemala to the Department of State1
4939. Subject: Belize. Ref: Guatemala 4860.
1. During call by Ambassador on President Laugerud September 9 at Ambassador’s request, first subject raised by President was Belize. He said he knew that FonMin had discussed Belize with Ambassador only five days earlier (reftel), but problem continued uppermost in minds of President and his government. He was afraid that Prime Minister Price might be contemplating some hasty and early move toward independence. President said this would be disaster and could benefit no one since Guatemalan Armed Forces would feel obliged to “attack” immediately. This would involve not only Guatemala and Belize but UK and U.S. and other nations as well. It could not help anyone. President said he believed firmly that force did not really settle anything. Therefore, it was essential to talk together and to seek peaceful solutions. Even if these solutions were not easy to arrive at and the discussions should be prolonged, a situation which would precipitate use of force must be avoided.
2. Ambassador asked if President had specific information which caused his current concern. He replied that he had information from four different sources that Price might be up to something. Guatemalan consul in Belize, for example, had recently reported information to this effect from well-placed members of the local Congress.
3. President said Guatemala would be grateful for U.S. good offices to counsel restraint, and to urge Price to take no hasty or drastic action. [Page 528] Ambassador replied that he had already reported to Washington FonMin’s conversation with him. Ambassador agreed with President’s statement that no one would benefit should matters reach crisis proportions. Ambassador felt it was in everyone’s interest—he stressed everyone’s—to avoid drastic and hasty actions and to seek a peaceful solution.
4. Comment: Whether or not they are accurate, reports of some impending move by Belize Government have unquestionably been received by GOG and latter’s deep concern is real. Nor do we believe there should be any doubt about Guatemalan’s intention to invade Belize if independence declared. Any information available to Department and other addressees which Department might wish us to convey to GOG to avoid possible misreading of situation would be welcome.
5. Substance of this message as well as of Guatemala 4860 have been made available in confidence to new British consul here.
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Summary: During a September 9 meeting with Ambassador Meloy, President Laugerud expressed his concern that Prime Minister Price might be moving too hastily on Belizean independence, and warned that under such circumstances the Guatemalan military would feel obliged to attack Belize. Laugerud requested that the U.S. use its good offices to counsel restraint.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740253–1001. Confidential. Repeated to London, Mexico City, and Belize City. In telegram 4860 from Guatemala City, September 6, the Embassy reported that Foreign Minister Molina Orantes had expressed concern over Price’s “increasing activism” and had warned that a sudden move toward independence by Belize “would precipitate action on the part of the Guatemalan armed forces.” (Ibid., D740248–0746) In telegrams 505 and 506 from Belize City, September 11, the consulate reported that Price had indicated publicly that Belizean foreign policy rested on Belize’s independence, and that he had characterized Guate-mala as a “negative force” impeding Belizean independence. (Ibid., D740254–0249, D740254–0250) In telegram 202411 to Guatemala City, September 13, the Department expressed its surprise at the Guatemalan Government’s reaction to “electoral rhetoric” in Belize that included “intemperate remarks regarding independence.” (Ibid., D740258–0261)
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