Office of the Historian

202. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger1

Washington, September 16, 1975.

Belize Dispute

Summary: Since our memorandum of August 22, we have received further disturbing reports from Guatemala and elsewhere regarding the likelihood of a Guatemalan military response to a strong United Nations resolution on Belize. Ambassador Meloy is cutting short his vacation in the U.S. to meet with President Laugerud and express our concern.

Background: The Belizeans appear to be preparing for a full discussion of the Belize question at the UN The British seem inclined to tolerate that initiative. The Belizeans already are encouraged by their success at Lima where the Non-Aligned Conference endorsed independence for the British colony. Assad Shoman, Belizean Attorney General and architect of the Lima victory, is in New York where he plans to lobby actively for a strong resolution.

The Guatemalans have indicated that a UN resolution “damaging” to their claim would force the government to carry out some unspecified military or paramilitary action, most likely against southern Belize. They have taken steps to show increased military readiness and to rally public support—and they want us to know it.

Ambassador Meloy, currently on vacation here, agrees that he should seek an early appointment with Guatemalan President Laugerud right after National Day on September 15. The Ambassador will attempt to elicit a clearer view of the President’s intentions and remind him that we oppose the use of force to resolve the dispute.

We will convey to the UK, who are privy to our information about Guatemalan planning, our view that a provocative UN resolution would not be helpful.

  1. Summary: Rogers reported that the Guatemalan Government had indicated that a UN resolution favoring Belizean independence would force military action, and noted that Ambassador Meloy had been given instructions to meet with President Laugerud to elicit a clearer view of Guatemala’s intentions.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, ARA/CEN Files, Lot 78D110, Guatemala 1975, Sept., Territory, Boundaries. Secret. Drafted September 12 by Clare. The August 22 memorandum was not found. In telegram 220343 to Guatemala City, September 16, the Department instructed Meloy to meet with Laugerud to obtain his views on the Belize situation, while making clear to him that the U.S. Government opposed the use of force and did “not believe that a resolution passed by the United Nations is justifiable provocation for resort to force.” (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy File, D750321–0747) A report of Meloy’s meeting with Laugerud is Document 204.

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