| Belize says thanks for support in border dispute |
| Observer Reporter Tuesday, October 01, 2002 |
PRIME Minister of Belize Said Musa has written to Jamaica's prime minister, P J Patterson, thanking him and other Caricom heads of government for the support and assistance extended to Belize over the years during its border dispute with Guatemala.
This comes in the wake of settlement proposals submitted by facilitators for both countries, which will go before the people of both countries in a referendum next month.
The facilitator of Belize is Sir Shridath Ramphal, while an American lawyer, Paul Reichler is acting as the facilitator for Guatemala.
The proposals were presented by the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Belize on September 17. The organisation, of which Belize and Guatemala are members, has been neutral in the dispute between the two countries, but has long been an advocate of peaceful resolution of all such conflicts in the Caribbean.
"Caricom governments have been steadfast to Belize over the years and this has been of tremendous value. I thank you again for this assistance. As we move forward to the referendum and hopefully to the finalisation of the treaties of settlement, it will be of special help if governments of the region could issue statements welcoming and commending the proposals," Musa's letter said in part.