Office of the Historian

198. Telegram 3587 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, August 7, 1975, 2352Z.

3587. Subject: Belize at the UN: UK View.

1. UKUN Mission Officer Richardson gave the following assessment on August 5 of possible developments at the UN on Belize. Richardson participated in both the New York and New Orleans talks.

2. Richardson reported that Premier Price is very keen on using the UN, as well as other international forums, to exert pressure on Guatemala. He believes that, at a minimum the Fourth Committee of the GA will be the scene of speeches on Belize by the various interested parties. The GOB may also seek to have some of her Caribbean friends submit a resolution on Belize to the Fourth Committee. Price is confident that the necessary majority could be obtained.

3. Richardson explained that the UK has not made any decision yet about how to respond to such an initiative. He did, however, outline the following reservations: First, the UK is not as convinced as Price that a majority for a Belize resolution is to be obtained. Second, even if a resolution were passed, the UK is uncertain of what effect it might have. Richardson emphasized the unpredictability of the UN.

4. Richardson said that he realized that Belize developments have important implications for us and promised to keep us fully informed.

Moynihan

  1. Summary: The mission reported that Belizean Premier Price planned to seek help from Caribbean friends to submit a resolution on Belize to the United Nations in an effort to exert pressure on Guatemala.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750324–0072. Confidential. Repeated to Belize City, Guatemala City, London, and Mexico City. In telegram 518 from Belize City, August 19, the consulate reported that there was no indication whether the United Kingdom planned to support an initiative on Belize at the United Nations General Assembly. (Ibid., D750285–0703) In telegram 4462 from Guatemala City, August 20, the Embassy recommended “that we keep our options open on C–47 sale until after GOG’s reaction to UNGA Belize deliberations becomes clearly known.” (Ibid., [no film number]) In telegram 204251 to Guatemala City, August 27, the Department accepted Guatemala City’s recommendation “that USG announce no decision on C–47 transaction until after UNGA.” (Ibid., D750297–0998) In a memorandum of conversation, September 9, the Department observed that Moreton told Meloy “that the UK was relieved to learn we had delayed a decision on the C–47s.” (Ibid., P810026–0107)

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