Belmopan, 7th August, 2002.

A Belize Delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Hon. Assad Shoman and Ambassadors Fred Martinez and Eamon Courtney returned to Belize today from Washington D.C. Ambassador Lisa Shoman and Legal Adviser Janine Coye-Felsen joined the delegation in Washington, D.C.

The Guatemalan delegation comprised of Foreign Minister Gabriel Orellana, Ambassadors Contreras, Orellana, Rivera and Duarte.

Both delegations were in Washington on Monday and Tuesday of this week at the request of the Facilitators for informal consultations on the progress of the Facilitation Process. The Facilitators continue to meet today in Washington and are expected to issue a statement at the conclusion of their deliberations.

Whilst in Washington, the Belize delegation also visited the US State Department and briefed Mr. Otto Relch, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and other senior officials on the current state of the Facilitation Process and relations with Guatemala.

ends