Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 5 March 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Friday, 5 March 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action his Department is taking to help bring about a long-term solution to the territorial border disputes between Belize and Guatemala.

Answer: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to help bring about a long-term solution to the territorial border disputes between Belize and Guatemala. [159269] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK continues to support fully the Organisation of American States (OAS) sponsored process as the best means to secure a negotiated settlement, and is a member of the OAS-facilitated Belize--Guatemala `Group of Friends'. When my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) visited Belize and Guatemala from 14-17 January, he reaffirmed the UK's continued support for Belize and Guatemala in their pursuit of a definitive settlement to their territorial dispute, within the framework of the OAS-facilitated process. We are supporting the OAS-sponsored Confidence Building Measures in Belize and Guatemala through the FCO/DFID/MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool. £1.8 million has been allocated this financial year. Our projects are aimed at reducing tensions, encouraging co-operation between security agencies and addressing the underlying causes of conflict.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c1188W;418 c1204-5W; 159269
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Armed conflict Borders Foreign relations Peace negotiations Belize Guatemala
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk