Office of the Historian

195. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, May 27, 1975.

PARTICIPANTS

  • David Walker, Embassy of the United Kingdom
  • David Lazar, Director, ARA–LA/CEN
  • Daniel Clare, ARA/CEN/Guatemala

SUBJECT

  • Belize

Mr. Walker sought our assessment of Guatemalan intentions regarding Belize. He said that Foreign Secretary Calahan had asked the Embassy to obtain an up-to-date reading when he was in Washington.

We said that we believed the GOG was solidly behind a serious effort to reach a settlement based upon territorial compensation. This jibed with Walker’s appreciation.

Walker said that he had reported the patrol boat purchase to London and expected a sharp reaction. He was concerned about the repercussions in Belize once the purchase became known. He asked us for our position on the sale. We responded that we had advised the GOG of its tentative FMSCR allocation and were awaiting its request for allocating it. We added that modernization of the fleet was long-planned and we saw no objection to the acquisition. Walker asked if we knew how the Guatemalans planned to divide the navy, as between Atlantic and Pacific. We replied that we were not sure but thought they would keep the ship in Barrios and most of the boats at Sipacate to protect against Salvadoran shrimpers.

We raised the proposed C–47 transaction, outlining some of its history. We discussed the possible increase in military capability, saying [Page 554] some of the increase may be illusory. Again, Walker’s concern was directed toward the possible Belizean reaction rather than hard military realities or Guatemalan intentions.

We suggested that the Guatemalans should be aware of these “cosmetic” problems and asked if they had discussed these purchases with the UK. Walker said they had not.

Comment: We were surprised that Walker did not mention the report from the UK Ambassador to EUR regarding a conversation between Prime Minister Wilson and the Secretary during which Wilson allegedly asked if we would request the Guatemalans to “go easy” on their territorial demands. The Secretary was said to have been noncommittal.

We were struck with Walker’s interest in our possible arms transfers and his obvious concern at possible Belizean reaction.

  1. Summary: In a meeting with David Walker, First Secretary of the British Embassy, on the Belize issue, Director of Central American Affairs David Lazar and Guatemala Desk Officer Daniel Clare raised the proposed sale of C–47 aircraft to Guatemala. Walker indicated concern over possible Belizean reactions to the sale.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P810038–1707. Confidential. Drafted by Clare on May 28. No record was found of the British Ambassador’s report to EUR regarding the Secretary’s conversation with Prime Minister Wilson. In telegram 734 from Guatemala City, February 7, the Embassy indicated that it understood the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington had initiated paperwork for the purchase of five patrol boats. (Ibid., D750046–0297) In telegram 2748 from Guatemala City, May 28, the Embassy reported that the Guatemalan Government had committed to purchase Israeli “Arava” aircraft, but that it remained interested in acquiring C–47s. (Ibid., D750186–1109) Defense Intelligence Notice DIADIN 1348A–75, June 4, indicated that Guatemala planned to take delivery of 10 of the Israeli aircraft. (Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78 A 0058, Guatemala 452 4 JUN 75)

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