Prime Minister Said Musa Meets British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook

Belmopan - 14 June, 2000.
Prime Minister Said Musa met today with The Rt. Honourable Robin Cook, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and received firm assurances from him that Her Majesty's Government is committed to maintaining and improving its relations as a friend and ally of Belize.

The UK Government has reiterated its continued strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize. The Prime Minister was assured of British support for Belize's ongoing efforts to establish a negotiating mechanism for the final settlement of the differences that persist with Guatemala. They also share Belize's concern at the recent tensions that have erupted along the border area including the recent incursions by Guatemalan military elements into Belize territory.

The Prime Minister also held meetings with Mr. John Spellar, Minister of Defence, and Mr. John Battle, Minister of State for Latin American Affairs.

The Minister of Defence told the Prime Minister that Britain is pleased with the presence of its jungle training unit in Belize (BATSUB) and that its presence will continue. Britain saw this as a mutually beneficial exercise, where both Britain and Belize gain. Mr Musa welcomed this assurance, and both agreed that BATSUB's presence has an important stabilising effect in the region.

The Defence Minister also assured Mr. Musa that the long-awaited Defender Aircraft will be delivered to the BDF within the next two months. It is understood that this will greatly assist the BDF in improving its surveillance capabilities. The British also gave assurances that the same level of free helicopter use will continue being made available to the Government.

Prime Minister Said Musa Meets Foreign Secretary Robin Cook Press Release continued

The Prime Minister made a request for increased financial and technical support to the BDF, to enable it to carry out border patrols and other activities with greater effectiveness. British Ministers were most understanding, and undertook to study the situation to determine how best Belize could be assisted.

Minister John Battle, the Minister of State for Latin American Affairs, will visit Belize in July.

The Prime Minister also met with Members of Parliament at Westminster. He gave them a full briefing on the border situation with Guatemala, and received their renewed assurances of support. Several of them expressed surprise and grave concern at Guatemala's recent behaviour, and promised to take action to honour what was called by the Prime Minister a moral responsibility to stand firmly with Belize by insisting that the boundary Treaty signed by Britain in 1859 is fully respected by Guatemala.

The Parliamentarians also asked the Prime Minister for information on the economy of Belize, showing particular interest in tourism and the environment.

The Prime Minister's official visit to Britain continues until Saturday.