HC Deb 26 May 2004 vol 421 cc1668-9W
Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the projects his Department has supported in Belize over the past 20 years that have been classed as successful. [175239]

Mr. Gareth Thomas

I shall arrange for a copy of a document entitled "Department for International Development/Official Development Assistance in Belize" to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

The list shows all DFID/ODA projects funded in Belize since 1986 (the year to which project records for Belize date back). Performance scoring of projects began in 1992; all listed projects since then have been classed as partially or wholly successful.

Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role the UK Government have played in resolving the border disputes between Belize and Guatemala. [175240]

Mr. Rammell

I have been asked to reply.

The UK continues to support fully the Organisation of American States (OAS)-facilitated process between Belize and Guatemala as the best means to secure a permanent solution to their territorial dispute. I underlined this to both governments when I visited Belize and Guatemala from 14 to 17 January, and I have recently written to Vice-President Stein of Guatemala and Prime Minister Musa of Belize. We have also lobbied both countries to agree a long-term extension to the Confidence Building Measures Agreement, which is due to expire in June, at the next OAS meeting between Belize and Guatemala in Washington in June.

We are also supporting the OAS-sponsored Confidence Building Measures in Belize and Guatemala through the FCO/DFID/MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool. £1.5 million has been allocated this financial year. Our projects are aimed at reducing tensions, encouraging co-operation between security agencies and addressing the underlying causes of conflict.