FOREIGN MINISTER ON DEADLOCKED BELIZE TALKS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000400150010-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2012
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: January 26, 1983
• Content Type: MISC

t A I
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/13: CIA-RDP08001297R000400150010-3
VI. 27 Jan 83
P 7 CENTRAL AMERICA
The FMLN's forces have occupied the enemy's positions in La Palma, a village in
Chalatenango Department, located on the northern highway.
Early reports indicated that our forces took 16 prisoners, all members of the National
Guard, and seized 36 weapons, a number of uniforms and a large quantity of ammunition
when it occupied La Palma. The FMLN's forces also shot down a Salvadoran Air Force
helicopter. The final figures on this victory by our revolutionary army will be released
in later transmissions.
We offer our revolutionary salute to our warriors in Chalatenango who participated in
this new victory, which we can add to the other victories that we will obtain in con-
ducting the January Revolutionary Heroes military campaign.
More Towns Seized
PA261347 (Clandestine) Radio Venceremos in Spanish to El Salvador 0230 GMT 26 Jan 83
[Text] Our January Revolutionary Heroes offensive continues to advance. In Morazan we
have managed to stop four of the dictatorship's special battalions, and in Chalatenango
our forces continue advancing and defeating the enmey in complete fulfillment of our
strategic objectives. A preliminary report has reached us from Chalatenango on the
seizure of the town of La Palma, located on the main northern road that leads into
Honduras. The report reads:
Our forces attacked the National Guard post in La Palma, Chalatenango Department,
at 0215 on 24 January. Heavy fighting took place that morning, and the enemy was pushed
back into their headquarters. At 1400 that day our units stormed and seized the head-
quarters and captured 16 national guardmen with all their military gear.
In the early morning hours of the 24 January, FMLN forces also attacked the paramilitary
post in San Luis del Carmen, seizing that town at 0200 and resulting in the recovery
of two G-3 rifles, three carbines, one Czechoslovak rifle, and other war materiel
including a large amount of ammunition. Six prisoners of war were taken during the
seizure of San Luis del Carmen. They were later released and turned over to the local
people.
At 0500 fighting began in (Acagualpa), where the enemy sustained an undetermined number
of casualties. At 0630 fighting began in the positions leading toward Santa Cruz, where
we wounded three enemy soldiers. While withdrawing, our forces seized the paramilitary
bases in Los Naranjos, and at 0930 we inflicted one casualty on the enemy and recovered
additional war materiel.
We also report to our people that at 1035 on the 24 January [words indistinct] downed
a military helicopter around (Iramundo) hill, located some 12 km northwest of La Palma.
These preliminary reports on the new victories obtained in Chalatenango were submitted
by Commander (Dimas Rodriguez).
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GUATEMALA
FOREIGN MINISTER ON DEADLOCKED BELIZE TALKS
PA261959 Guatemala City Radio Television Guatemala in Spanish 0400 GMT 26 Jan 83
[Text] In New York, talks among Guatemala, Belize and the United Kingdom took place
in climate of conflict, and no progress of any kind was achieved, according to state-
ments made by diplomatic circles today. falka.temala_axagi=e4?,,thaZ,??1,,t,..1411 rPiterate its
claim ?to,,.Ihg,,,,gnglxg,,,gxIltpxxo,tsL2K14.4t,and that it will continue to seek to recover
it through the path of international law, according to these sources.
1
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VI. 27 Jan 83
P 6 CENTRAL AMERICA
In'truth, when these gentlemen like Christopher Dodd, Charles Percy, George Willers,
Claiborne Pell, Stephen Solarz, Paul Tsongas, Clarence Long, etcetera, come to
investigate the respect for human rights, don't you believe they are referring to the
human rights of all the Salvadoran people. They are solely and exclusively referring
to the\nrights" they grant those who for the past 3 years have imposed a cruel and
dehumanizing war on the 4.5 million Salvadorans who want peace, justice, freedom and
work.
It can be Said that many of the them are a sort of envoy and lawyer of the FMLN-FDR
[Revolutionary Democratic Front]. That is why when they return to their country they
say terrible 'things about what the government and army do to/'the opposition forces."
They never call them subversives and, even less, terrorists They never talk about the
monstrous destructive work of their proteges either becau9?hey are not interested or
they don't want to know.
It is illogicial for those representatives to try to p t the Salvadoran Government and
Army up against the wall over the issue of human rights, purposely ignoring that we are
waging a war, that ware fighting against an open a/ttack about which the entire world
knows since the guerrillas in El Salvador would no have the firepower capacity they
have were they not being supplied by Cuba via Ni ragua.
RADIO VENCEREMOS REPORTS ON FMLN ACTIVITIES
Coprefa Report Denied
PA260259 (Clandestine) Radio Venceremos in Spanish to El Salvador 0230 GMT 25 Jan 83
[Excerpt] The military operation that the dictatorship launched 8 days ago in Morazan
Department has made no progress. The dictatorship's forces are bogged down, with many
casualties and with absolutely no morale.
On 24 January, the army's general command sent another battalion to Morazan to replace
the casualties that we have inflidted in our great victories to the north of the
Torola River, where, as we have previously reported, we forced the entire Atonal
Battalion from its positions in Meanguera and on the north bank of the river. The
dictatorship's special battalions are still on the defensive, holding their positions
and waiting for replacements, which we already know are in Morazan. Meanwhile, the
FMLN's military forces are holding their positions as well, following the enemy's
movements and waging a war of attrition on the dictatorship's forces.
On 24 Janaury, local and international media carried a report released by the Armed
Forces Press Committee, Coprefa, by the genocidal general command, that the
dictatorship's special forces had allegedly crossed the Torola River and recaptured
Meanguera, Jocoaitique and other towns in northern Morazan. Coprefa also reported that
fierce fighting was taking place in Perquin, Torola and San Fernando. Radio Venceremos
categorically denieS Coprefa's report. All of this is absolutely false. The enemy
is trying to achieVe with lies and false propaganda what it has not been able to achieve
on the battlefield.
Our forces are 'holding their positions and are well entrenched in that zone to date.
On the other and, the dictatorship's special battalions have made no advnces; should
they try to o so, they will pay with their lives.
FMLN Forces Seize La Palma
PA260313/(Clandestine) Radio Venceremos in Spanish to El Salvador 0230 GMT 25 Jan 83
[Text] Our January Revolutionary Heroes military campaign is continuing successfully.
In co trast, the dictatorship's elite battalions are bogged down in Morazan Department.
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VI. 27 Jan 83
P 8 CENTRAL AMERICA
In the negotiations that took place yesterday at the seat of the British mission to the
United Nations, Guatemala adopted a more flexible position and proposed as a solution that
Guatemala renounce its claims to the entire territory of Belize in exchange for the trans-
fer of Toledo Department, which encompasses 1/6 of Belize's territory.
Guatemala proposes to establish a port and an oil pipeline in that area, the sources said.
For its part, Belize proposed the establishment of a joint development area along the
Sarstun River, which Guatemala considers to be an attempt to infiltrate its territory.
(Robert Levy), Belize's ambassador to the United Nations, said that Belize's
sovereignty [brief break in transmission] in the meeting, he insisted on the firm pro-
posal that in the delimitation of the border within Guatemalan territory, the southern
part of the Monkey River be included, but the British delegation rejected this proposal.
The Guatemalan mission was led by Mario Quinones Amezquita, our ambassador to the
United Nations, and included (Luisa Echinela), director of legal affairs for the Foreign
Ministry, and (David Vela).
Foreign Minister Eduardo Castillo Arriola has said that Guatemala is firmly determined
not to yield in the dispute.
[Begin recording] [Castillo] The Guatemalan Government's position is firm; it is not
possible to yield. One can agree to compensations of other kinds, such as economic
cooperation, programs or whatever, facilities for a port on the Pacific for Belize, etc.,
etc., but we cannot yield in matters that are fundamental and vital to Guatemala and its
overall development.
[Question] Will the claim to the territory of Teledo be maintained?
[Answer] As the delegation said yesterday, repeating the position of the president of
the republic, which I have also stated for some time, in the present situation, there
can be no change for Guatemala. We will wait whatever time is necessary to seek the
legitimate restitution of Guatemala's rights to the territory of Belize.
[Question] Were the British and Belizean delegations to the talks made up of high-rank-
ing officials?
[Answer] Yes, high-ranking officials. Ambassador (White) is an official of the per-
manent mission at the United Nations. Another member is from the British Foreign
Office. For Belize there was [name indistinct] (Lesley), the Belizean ambassador to
the United Nations, and also a minister who came from Belize. [end recording]
Guatemala would be willing to accept the return of Toledo district, according to a state-
ment made yesterday by Foreign Minister Castillo Arriola.
[Begin Castillo recording] In a conciliatory manner, the government proposed the ces-
sion of Toledo district and the use of natural limits, either a high dividing mountain
or a river whose course would serve permanently as a border. This has been Guatemala's
proposal to the United Kingdom.
The negotiations that have taken place recently included the talks in November. At that
time, we agreed on an agenda with Belize and the United Kingdom, but with Belize forming
part of the UK delegation, because the negotiation is not tripartite one, but rather
bilateral.
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VI. 27 Jan 83 P 9 CENTRAL AMERICA
.1!
In this regard, in November we gave them a complete study with mpas regarding Guatemala's
proposal. We said that if they had a vital interest in resolving this situation, which
would give Belize great facilities and improvements, first of all access to a friendly,
sisterly Guatemala that wouod cooperate to seek the development of Belize. [sentence
as heard] Belize would have secure border delimited bilaterally, which would also be
beneficial to Guatemala, with all the facilities that Guatemala could provide,not only
in the strictly economic aspect of development, but also in the areas of health, educa-
tion and cooperation, and also aid to Belize for its entry into international organi-
zations such as [break in record] [end recording].
EDITORIAL CALLS FOR GOOD SENSE ON BELIZE ISSUE
PA262034 Guatemala City DIARIO DE CENTRO America in Spanish 18 Jan 83 p 3
[Text] When the United Kingdom unilaterally granted "independence" to Belize, it demon-
strated its traditional cunningln negotiations in which the interests of the parties
in dispute is at stake.
This ability for cunning -- backed by a powerful fleet -- did not find in its Guatemalan
counterpart the same type of artifice or even the necessary intelligence to present
debatable arguments that would have weight with world wide public opinion, which was
manipulated masterfully by the usurping power.
This is not a case of self-examination to admit our errors or the incompetence of the
officials to whom we entrusted the ligation for many years, but we should not try to
fool ourselves or lament the weakness we have shown in all walks of life.
Guatemala's reaction to the dispossession is one of dignity, and if the possibility of
dialogue still exists, the conditions discussed at the conference table have to be
realistic, and their negotiation feasible.
If Belize wants a future of prosperity and peace with its neighbors, as a really
sovereign state within the regional group of which it is part; Guatemala has proposed
an intelligent and worthy solution; an outlet to the sea through the Toledo district.
The new state's internal policies can be manipulated to hinder any understandings in
the next round of negotiations, but if commonsense prevails, the possibility of an
easing of tension in that part of Central America would be within reach, along with the
corresponding benefits for the countries involved. The United Kingdom, Guatemala and
Belize are not interested in leaving furture generations a legacy of instability and
unrest.
HONDURAS
P ESIDENT SUAZO CORDOVA ADDRESSES ASSEMBLY
PA2t4QTegucigalpa Domestic Service in Sp sh 1626 GMT 25 Jan 83
[Speech by ouran President Rober;p-'Suazo Cordova at inauguration of Constituent
Assembly at LegTh81.,ative Palace in 'Tegucigalpa -- live]
[Excerpts] When I assUMea'the constitutional presidency on 26 January 1982, I outlined
the ideological and Rneimaeic.?concepts that would guide my administration, infused with
my desire to implepent our gov?ent plan based on the sovereign mandate of the people.
In this respect,,,I called upon al ectors of Honduran society to hold a national
encounter of 4i sectors, proclaiming government by consensus in which everyone
contribute/to effective distribution of stice in pursuit of a united Honduran
people.
J
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/13: CIA-RDP08001297R000400150010-3