Belmopan - 15 February, 2001.
Thirteen representatives from Belize’s Religious Community signed a declaration on Tuesday, February 14, 2001. The document outlines the steps that will be taken by the various religious organizations to aide the Government and the Negotiating Teams in their bid to up hold Belize’s integrity against Guatemala’s claims.

Present at yesterday’s signing was acting Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceno, Attorney General, Hon.Godfrey Smith and Ambassador Fred Martinez, representative of Belize’s Negotiating Team.

The official document has six parts that were agreed to by the leaders of the Religious Community in meetings that were held last week, the points are:

1. Affirm the unified approach by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition on the Negotiation Process for a peaceful solution and hereby call on all our people to follow this unified approach.
2. Affirm the work of our Negotiating Team and ask for prayers for all those who are members of the Negotiating Teams of both countries.
3. Call upon the media of both countries to refrain from headlines that are inflammatory in nature and articles that are triumphalist in content.
4. Commit ourselves to enter into communication with the Religious Community in Guatemala and pledge to pray for the people of both countries.
5. Pledge ourselves to participate in a National Religious Service along with the Political Leaders and people of our country to pray for the negotiating process.
6. Accept the offer of the Government of Belize to appoint two representatives of the Religious Community to the National Advisory Commission.

Several religious leaders stressed that the importance of the document lies in its including of all religions as well as its stressing of the significance of working along with the Guatemalan religious communities.

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