§ 2.53 p.m.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)My Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I shall make a Statement on Belize.
Following the recent ministerial talks in London between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Guatemala, at which the Premier of Belize and two of his Cabinet colleagues were present, Heads 657 of Agreement were signed on 11th March on the basis of which a full settlement is to be negotiated between the United Kingdom and Guatemala.
This settlement will end the controversy that has existed between the two countries for well over 100 years over the territory of Belize.
The Heads of Agreement, which were published last night, represent a significant advance. They provide the framework for a solution to this longstanding problem which all concerned can regard as just and honourable. Settlement of the controversy will bring great benefits to Belize, the safeguarding of whose interests has been our concern throughout the negotiations.
Under the terms of the treaties which we shall now negotiate, the Guatemalan territorial claim will be ended and Belize's future security will therefore be assured.
Guatemala will recognise the independent State of Belize within its existing frontiers on the day of Independence.
Guatemala will also benefit. It will be assured permanent and unimpeded access to the Caribbean; the use and enjoyment of the Ranguana and Sapodilla cays, the two southern-most groups of very small islands on the Belizean barrier reef; and rights in areas of the sea adjacent to the cays, as may be agreed.
Other provisions will be mutually beneficial. They include free port facilities for Guatemala in Belize and for Belize in Guatemala; completion of roads; facilities for oil pipelines; agreements on pollution control, navigation and fishing, joint exploration and exploitation of minerals in areas of sea bed and continental shelf to be agreed; development projects and security co-operation.
A copy of the full text will be circulated in the Official Report.
The Heads of Agreement represent a commitment on all sides to negotiate in good faith the legal instruments which will provide for a full, honourable and permanent settlement. I pay tribute to the imagination and flexibility shown by the Belizean delegation as well as the Guatemalan Government in the talks which have enabled us to take this major step forward. I am confident that with continuing goodwill and understanding a final settlement can be negotiated successfully over the coming months.
§ Following is the text referred to in the Statement: