HL Deb 18 June 1982 vol 431 cc767-8

11.14 a. m.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their attitude towards the future of Belize, given the repeated statements by the junta of Guatemala which took power in March this year, that the agreement between Britain and Guatemala concerning the independence of Belize is no longer valid, and given the assumption of sole power by General Rios Montt last week.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, there is no agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the Guatemalan Government about Belize. Although Belize is an independent sovereign country, we accept that Her Majesty's Government may have to play some role in any future negotiations with Guatemala on this issue. We therefore continue to watch the situation carefully and are in close touch with the Government of Belize about it.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, can the noble Lord describe to the House what then is the status of the Heads of Agreement between the United Kingdom and Guatemala of 11th March 1981 by which both recognised the independent state of Belize and agreed to respect its sovereignty, and which sets up a joint commission of Belize, Guatemala and the United Kingdom in order to see to the keeping of the Heads of Agreement?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government and the then Guatemalan Government signed Heads of Agreement which included Guatemala's undertaking to recognise Belize's independence on the date which the noble Lord mentioned. Subsequent talks broke down and the Guatemalan Government refused to recognise the independence of Belize in September of last year, and then Guatemala broke consular relations with Britain over this.

Baroness Jeger

My Lords, can the noble Lord the Minister tell the House what steps are being taken to try to get a peaceful solution in this area rather than a situation of competing armament? Particularly can he say what talks are going on with the United States of America? Are they still sending arms to Guatemala and trained personnel, or have they now switched to Belize, which in either case must escalate the tension in what is really a very vulnerable and naturally peaceful area?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I agree with the noble Baroness that in the end Belize must have a satisfactory undertaking from Guatemala. As the original Answer which I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Kennet, in essence says, the United Kingdom stands ready to give what help it can. I am advised that the United States does not give aid to Guatemala at the present time.

Baroness Jeger

My Lords, the noble Lord has not answered my question about United States involvement with Belize?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I am not aware that the United States is at the moment involved with Belize. The country of Belize receives development assistance on a very considerable scale from the United Kingdom. I am not aware that it is receiving development assistance or assistance of other kinds from the United States at the present time.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, will the Government undertake not to withdraw the British garrison in Belize until both we and Belize are absolutely certain that Belize is safe?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, we have undertaken to maintain the garrison in Belize for as long as may be appropriate.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, does the noble Lord draw a distinction between appropriateness and certainty of safety?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, the matter of the appropriateness of keeping the garrison in Belize, which is very important, will be kept under review.