Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04GUATEMALA737
2004-03-24 22:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:  

GOG TO IMPROVE INFORMAL TIES WITH BELIZE

Tags:  PREL PGOV GT BH 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000737 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV GT BH
SUBJECT: GOG TO IMPROVE INFORMAL TIES WITH BELIZE

Classified By: PolOff Robert E. Copley for reason 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000737

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV GT BH
SUBJECT: GOG TO IMPROVE INFORMAL TIES WITH BELIZE

Classified By: PolOff Robert E. Copley for reason 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: At our request, Foreign Minister Jorge Briz
discussed the border dispute with Ambassador Hamilton and
British Ambassador Richard Lavers on March 17. Briz said
that the Berger Administration wants to develop close,
informal ties with its Belizean counterpart and to engage in
as many joint initiatives, both public and private, as
possible. The goal is to demonstrate to both populations the
benefits of a normal relationship, thereby garnering support
for an eventual referendum on a settlement. According to
Briz, Guatemala does not/not want to take the border dispute
to the International Court of Justice, and is prepared to
extend the confidence building measures for a full year when
the current 90-day extension expires in May. End Summary.


2. (C) Briz began by stating that even if the Berger
Administration were enthusiastic about the facilitators'
proposed solutions (which it is not),the required referendum
has no chance of approval by the Guatemalan public at this
time. Thus the task, according to Briz, is to change public
opinion. The Berger Administration wants to develop the sort
of close, informal ties with its Belizean counterpart that
will allow the two governments to demonstrate the benefits of
a more normal relationship to their respective populations.
Guatemala's approach will be to pursue as many joint
initiatives, both public and private, with Belize as
possible. Briz hopes that Belize can be sold on the
advantages of developing this kind of relationship and will
avoid what he called "radical" positions.


3. (C) Briz said Guatemala wants continued OAS involvement,
but was vague as to how the OAS should engage. Briz was
emphatic that Guatemala does not/not want to take the dispute
to the International Court of Justice at the Hague and said
that Vice Minister Skinner-Klee's musings in Washington about
the advantages of that route had been just that, not
considered government opinion. Briz also said that Guatemala
had informed Belize that it is prepared to extend the
confidence building measures for a full year when they expire
in May.


4. (C) On the substance of the dispute itself, Briz was
cautious but said Guatemala needs "juridical certainty" of
its right to access to the sea. Drawn out again by Lavers,
he added that two processes, an OAS process working on the
dispute itself, and an informal process creating the ambiance
in both countries for a better relationship, could go forward
in parallel. Briz hopes to establish a mechanism for regular
informal and friendly consultations with Belize and noted
that, while Ambassador Martinez is a personal friend, that
mechanism ought to be linked to some senior official in
Belize.


5. (C) In a separate conversation with the Ambassador on
March 19, Belizean Ambassador to Guatemala Alfredo Martinez
said that Briz's proposal would be acceptable to Belize
provided it leads to real progress toward eventual resolution
of the border issue. He suggested that patience for
Guatemalan dilatory tactics is running thin in Belize.
Nevertheless, Martinez said he had already developed a list
of 11 practical measures (e.g. harmonizing the hours of
border crossings) which would help normalize relations for
shared benefit. He said he had urged Briz to improve
relations and communication by bypassing or diluting the
power of the MFA's advisory Belize Commission.


6. (C) Comment: This was a positive meeting that shows the
Berger Administration has been giving serious thought to the
border dispute and recognizes the work it needs to do in
leading public opinion toward accepting a negotiated
solution. We are encouraged by the GOG's new willingness to
reach out to Belize on numerous levels in search of solutions
to the many problems along the border. Joint cross-border
initiatives, whether public or private, will reduce
opportunities for flare-ups, as will extending the confidence
building measures. The British government is already
involved in many such projects, and we will look for
opportunities to pitch in.
HAMILTON