GUATEMALA / BELIZE- Defence Ministerial Scheduled

09 August, 2000 - Belmopan
The Minister of National Security and Economic Development, Jorge Espat,
announces the first Defence Ministerial meeting between Belize and
Guatemala. The Meeting is scheduled to occur in San Pedro Town,
Ambergris Caye on the 11th and 12th August 2000 and is a direct result
of the recent rounds of talks held in Washington, DC between Belize and
Guatemala.

The development of confidence building measures at the military to
military level will form the main part of the discussions to be held
between the military organizations of the Republic of Guatemala and of
Belize.

The Belize Delegation is headed by Minister Jorge Espat and will include
CEO Alan Usher, Commandant BDF General Garcia, representatives of the
BDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize. The Guatemalan
delegation will be headed by the Minister of Defence of Guatemala
Brigadier General Juan de Dios Estrada Velasquez and include
representatives of the Guatemalan Armed Forces and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Guatemala.

Further information or queries may be obtained from CEO/MNS alan Usher
at 08-22225.