The Editor,
The Amandala
Many years ago the late Hon. Philip S.W. Goldson gave me list of conferences and other meetings relative to the Anglo-Guatemala dispute which he had compiled for the period 1961 until our Independence in 1981. I have decided to update and expand that list, which of course may have several omissions. Belizean should realize that there have been at least 200 meetings and conferences held in various parts of the world with the net result of a total failure of arriving at the intended goal of reaching an honorable solution regarding the territorial dispute between Belize and the Republic of Guatemala.
Compton Fairweather
How it all began
1937- Britain suggests going to the World Court at The Hague (ICJ)
1937- Guatemala suggests arbitration by United States
1951- Britain again suggests going to the ICJ, given 5 years to accept
1938- Guatemala published a White Book in which they reported that on July 24th, 1862 the British negoator offered the Guatemalans a “mordida” of 25,000 (under the table) if they were to disregard building the “cart road” through Belize.
1951-1958- FIFTH COLUMN MOVMENT- Correspondence intercepted between presidential palace in Guatemala and agents in Belize.
1965-1968- Mediation by United States
1967-1978- Internationalization by Belize Opposition and Government.
1978-1981- Belize is faced with sell out conspiracies.
Meetings after Independence
12 Oct 1982
11 Nov 1982
Jan-1983- New York
Feb-1984-New York
Feb-1985- New York
Jul- 1985- Guatemala removes section from constitution which claims Belize as part of its territory
Apr-1987-Guatemaala demands that it be given Toledo District, Ranguana and Sapadillo Cayes
April 1987-
Dec- 1987- Miami
Feb-1988 – Miami
Mar-1988-Miami
Oct-1988
Dec-1988
Feb-1989-Miami
Sep-1989-Roatan
Apr-1989-
Dec-1989-Roatan
Jul-1980-Miami
Sep-1988-1990-Joint Commission between Belize and Guatemala with UK as observer
Aug-1991-Guatemala recognizes Belize’s rights to self-determination by Serrano
Aug-1991-Belize introduces Maritime Areas Act
Sep-1991-Guatemala recognizes Belize’s Independence
Jul-1991-Miami
Sep-1991-Guatemala
April-Miami
Aug-1994-Belize
Aug-1997-Miami
Sep-1997-Miami
Nov-1997-Miami
March-1998-Maimi
Nov-1998-Miami
Jun-2000-London
Jun-2002-Spain
July-2002-Washington
Aug-2002-Washington
Dec-2003-London
May-2004-Washington
Aug-2004
Sep-2006-Washington
Sep-2006-Panama
Nov-2006-Honduras
Jun-2007- Washington
Apr-2007- Washington
May-2008-OAS refers dispute to be taken to the ICJ
Oct-2009
Nov-2009- Guatemala
Mar-2016- Washington
Nov-2016-Belize
May-2016-Washington
May-2016-Istanbul
2017-Brussels
Meetings before Independence
Anglo-Guatemalan conference and other meetings connected therewith
May-1961—Santiago De Chile
May-1962-Puerto Rico (Opposition excluded)
May-1963-Washington (Opposition excluded)
May-2965-Miami (Opposition excluded)
June 1965 – London (Opposition excluded)
Nov-1965-Washington (Opposition excluded)
Dec-1965-New York
Jan-1966- Mediator Webster Visits Belize
Mar-1966-New York (Opposition excluded)
May- 1966-London (Opposition included- led up to 13 Proposals)
Feb-1967-New York
Jun 1966 – London and New York
Jul-1967-London (British and GuatemalanForeign Ministers meet)
Aug-1967-Goldson at United Nations
Sep-1967-NewYork
Nov-1967-London
Nov-1967 – New York
Nov-1967- Goldson at United Nations
Nov-1967-Webster complains to Louis M. Bloomfield that Goldson’s appearance at United Nations is disrupting his mediation efforts.
Dec-1967- Rogers and Courtenay at United Nations
Apirl-1968- B.H. delegation to Washington to receive mediator’s report
Oct-1969-New York
Jan-1970-New York
Apr-1970-New York
Sep-1970-Washington
Oct-1970-Jamaica
Nov-1970-Freeport
Feb-1971 -London
March-1971-San Francisco
Apr-1972-Premier George Price addresses the nation
Jul-1973 – Washington
Jul-1974-Guatemala
Feb-1975-Belmopan
Apr-1975-Belmopan
Apr-1975-New Orleans
Jul-1975-New York
Nov-1975-U.N. affirms the right of people of Belize to self-determination
Jun-1976-New York
Jul-1976 – London
Aug-1976-New York (Opposition excluded)
Sep-1976 – Panama (Opposition excluded)
Nov-1976- Lindbergh Rogers at UN
Jul-1977- Washington (Opposition included)
Nov-1977-George Price at United Nations
Jan- 1978-London – Price and British Government only
Jun-1978- New York (Government and Opposition met Dr. Owen)
Jul-1978 –Miami- Price met Rowland and Guatemalan VP Kramer
Oct-1978-New York- Government and Opposition delegations
Nov-1978- New York- UDP delegation pressured to accept land cession
Dec-1978-New York-C.L.B Rogers addresses 4thCommittee
Jun-1979-Lord Carrington visits Belize
Oct-1979-New York- C.L.B. Rogers addresses 4thCommittee
Jan-1980 –London- Price meets Nicholas Ridley
Feb-1980-London
Apr- 1980- Ridley visited Belize
May-1980- New York
May 1980- Belmopan
Jul-1980- Belize Government decides to go for secure independence
Sep- 1980- Washington
Oct 1980- New York
Nov-1980- UNGA 35/20 Belize should advance to a secure independence
Mar- 1981- Heads of agreement
Jun- 1981- Washington
Jul-1981-New York