Foreign Relations of the United States 1977–1980; Volume XV; Central America, 1977–1980

15. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Guatemala, the Consulate in Belize City, and the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, November 10, 1977, 2120Z

269572. Subject: Belizean Negotiations.

1. On November 8 British Minister of State Rowlands told Belizean Premier Price that the UK in the last year veered between a defense guarantee and a negotiated settlement. They were unable to get the U.S. and several other governments on board on a defense guarantee. Pressure had now cracked the Guatemalans and the British believe they can get a negotiated settlement on the basis of the Moho, an adjustment in the western frontier and cession of the southern cays. They had gotten the Guatemalans to abandon the idea of a development project between the Moho and Monkey coupled with a plebiscite. Rowlands did not rpt not reveal that agreement was still lacking on a substitute development project. He also explained that a distinguished American mediator would overcome timing difficulties with both Guatemalan elections and forthcoming Belizean local elections and help put over an uncomfortable solution.²

2. Price said he could not agree to the package since it included territorial cession. On the basis of his November 7 conversation with Panamanian President Torrijos he believes a settlement without territorial cession will be possible under either of two Guatemalan Presidential candidates Generals Lucas or Peralta Mendez. Rowlands replied that the British disagreed with Torrijos’ assessment, that Lucas in particular is a hardliner and that if no settlement reached now, it would be postponed for a long time. Price also stated that Torrijos said that if there were any cession of land in the South, the Mexicans would insist on cession in the North. Price acquiesced in Rowlands’ proposal to seek the views of the Mexicans and to consult the Venezuelans, Panamanians, Canadians and other key governments to see if they would endorse a settlement involving minor territorial changes (i.e. what the British and Guatemalans have worked out).

3. Price on November 8 reiterated the same points to Foreign Secretary Owen and suggested maintaining the status quo for three years, and then seeking a better deal from a new Guatemalan administration. He was prepared to wait but was not prepared to contemplate cession of territory. He said he might be able to agree to some straightening of the western boundary and cession of the best cays, but nothing more. Price reiterated that Mexico would resurrect its claim if anything were ceded to Guatemala. Owen told Price: (1) it was clear at the Belize committee meeting in New York there was little chance of getting an international guarantee for Belize;³ (2) the British could not give Belize independence and defend it on their own in the face of Guatemalan hostility; (3) if Price wanted to maintain the status quo he could do so but he should reckon on 10 years rather than three and could not count on the British maintaining a large garrison or being able to reinforce every few months; (4) British willingness to support Belize depended upon the extent to which Belize was genuinely seeking settlement; and (5) if after consulting other countries in the region, the British concluded that territorial cession on the lines discussed with the Guatemalans was the best solution, the people of Belize should be consulted. If Price objected the British would be obliged to make their position public. Price said his own political future would be jeopardized by such a plan.

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840070–0921, P800020–0099. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Pfeifle; cleared by Matthews and in S/S–O; approved by Habib. Telegram sent unchanged to the White House on November 11 with the same telegram number. (Ibid.)
2. Municipal elections were held in Belize City on December 7. Price’s party, the People’s United Party, won no seats. The opposition United Democratic Party won all nine seats. (Telegram 864 from Belize City, December 8; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770457–0934)
3. According to Young’s report in telegram 3929 from USUN, October 20, the Commonwealth Committee met twice to discuss Belize in New York. The September 27 meeting produced the following proposals: “continued diplomatic efforts in Latin America to isolate Guatemala; call on the UK to begin arrangements for a constitutional convention ‛for’ Belizean independence,” and “pursue the idea of an MDF in New York.” The October 3 meeting focused on the Guatemalan-Belizean dispute over territorial cession. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770386–1082)