"There has been no change in our policy, nor in our support for Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have reiterated this position publicly many times, for example at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban last November and at the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Belize which met in New York on 14 September … We do not, in fact, have a treaty commitment to defend Belize. But we remain committed to the UK's long-standing undertaking to consult in the event of a threat to Belize's security and to play an appropriate part in any response. That has been the UK's position since the withdrawal of the British Garrison from Belize in 1994."
Minister Battle letter to Andrew Robathan, MP, Oct. 6, 2000.

"The United Kingdom has consistently expressed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize… I confirm that it is the United Kingdom's view that the boundary between Guatemala and Belize was determined by the 1859 Boundary Convention."
Baroness Scotland QC letter to The Rt. Hon. Lord Richard PC QC, Aug 3., 2000

Commons Hansard Written Answers text for
Tuesday 7 Nov 2000
Written Answers to Questions [7 Nov 2000]
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Belize/Guatemala Border Dispute

31. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position regarding the territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize. [135192]

Mr. Battle: The United Kingdom continues to support Belize's Sovereignty and Territorial integrity and will continue to provide legal assistance in Belize's efforts to demarcate its land and maritime boundaries. We are pleased that constructive discussions between the two sides have taken place in the presence of the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States and that further talks are planned. We believe it essential that these discussions continue, and that there is early progress on confidence building measures. We continue to make our views clear to both sides.

Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is giving to (a) Belize and (b) Guatemala to resolve problems relating to their common border. [137061]
Mr. Battle: In helping Belize to resolve its border dispute with Guatemala the UK:

has provided financial support for talks between Belize and Guatemala being held under the auspices of the Organisation of American States; and

is helping Belize in its efforts to demarcate its land and maritime boundaries by providing them with legal and hydrographic assistance.

The UK strongly encourages both parties to resolve the dispute through bilateral negotiation. We are pleased that the OAS-facilitated talks between Belize and Guatemala have made encouraging progress. We hope this will be taken forward in talks in Washington this week.

6 October 2000

Andrew Robathan Esq MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your letter of 31 August regarding the United Kingdom's policy on Guatemala's claim on Belizean territory.

You seem to have accepted reports in the Guatemalan press regarding comments I am alleged to have made during my visit to Guatemala in July. At no time did I speak in the terms to which you refer.

There has been no change in our polcy, nor in our support for Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have reiterated this position publicly many times, for example at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban last November and the at the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Belize which met in New York on 14 September.

We do not, in fact, have a treaty commitment to defend Belize. But we remain committed to the UK's long-standing undertaking to consult in the event of a threat to Belize's security and to play an appropriate part in any response. That has been the UK's position since the withdrawal of the British Garrison from Belize in 1994.

Settlement of this dispute is in the best interests of all concerned. It will not be easy. It will have to involve further serious negotiation of the sort Belize and Guatemala are currently conducting in Washington, under the auspices of the Organisation of American States (OAS). That process has our full support, and we have made a contribution to the OAS's costs accordingly.

In discussion with the Guatemalans we consistently stress the need for them to play a constructive part in those negotiations. That was the clear message I gave while in Guatemala this summer.

Yours Sincerely,
signed John Battle

3 August 2000

The Rt Hon The Lord Richard PC QC
House of Lords
London SW1A OPW

Dear Ivor,

Thank you for your letter of 12 July asking the Government to put on record its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize and to insist on respect for the 1859 Boundary Treaty signed between Belize and Gautemala. Unfortunately I only received this on 17 July - the day of the Belize/Guatemala talks in Washington to which you refer.

The United Kingdom has consistently expressed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize, most recently on 19 July in a Written Answer to a Parliamentary Question from Lord Ahmed. I enclose the relevant extract from Hansard. The last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban in November and the UK/Caribbean Forum held in London in May issued communiqués similarly expressing support for Belize. We also made clear our support for Belize during Prime Minister Musa's visit to the UK on 13 - 18 June, when he met the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Development Secretary and the Government Ministers.

I confirm that it is the United Kingdom's view that the boundary between Guatemala and Belize was determined by the 1859 Convention.

We welcome the constructive Ministerial level talks held between Belize and Guatemala on 17 - 20 July, under the auspices of the Organisation of American States, which agreed to hold further meetings on the dispute, on confidence building measures and on military to military contacts. We are convinced that such dialogue is the best way to resolve the dispute and to calm tensions between the two countries.

We will continue to follow the issue and maintain our normal close contacts with the Belizeans as these talks develop.

Yours as ever
signed Baroness Scotland QC