GOVERNMENT REJECTS LATEST GUATEMALAN CLAIM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000400150011-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2012
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: January 17, 1983
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified and Approved ForRelease2012/09/13 : CIA-RDP08001297R000400150011-2
VI. 17 Jan 83 CENTRAL AMERICA
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GOVERNMENT REJECTS LATEST GUATEMALAN CLAIM
FL142107 Bridgetown CANA in English 2035 GMT 14 Jan 83
[Text] Belize City, 14 Jan CANA-REUTER -- Belize's ei n ..0 ?rial te
'1" not no L0.0" laPPotiAtion, a spokesman lar _the nrime
He was commenting on Guatemalan President Efrain Rios Montt's statement on Wednesday
that Guatemala had reduced its long-standing claim for the whole of Belize to the
southern fifth of the country. However, the spokesman said that even though the
Guatemalan claim to Belize was unfounded, Belize was not opposed to providing
Guatemala free access to the Caribbean.
P1
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He also suggested Belize and Guatemala could draw up joint programmes for economic
cooperation. But there _w.auJaLlia_119 compromise on the question of ceding territory
or dimunitionof Belize's sovereignty, he said.
Belize, a former British colony, gained independence 16 months ago. Guatemala said
earlier this week that it would hold talks on January 24 in New York with Belize and
Britain.
PRICE PROTESTS SALE OF U.S. ARMS TO GUATEMALA
FL142358 Bridgetown CANA in English 2235 GMT 14 Jan 83
[Text] Belmopan, Belize, Jan 14, CANA-REUTER -- Belize today publically protested the
United States lifting of a five-year arms embargo to neighbouring Guatemala saying it
could provide that country with arms to use against Belize. Belizean Prime Minister
George Price today published the country's protest in the government gazette.
It said that he officially presented his objection to newly acredited U.S. Ambassador
to Belize Malcolm Barnebey on January 10, just three days afer the U.S. lifted the
Guatemalan arms embargo. The arms embargo, originally imposed by the Carter adminis-
tration for the country alleged human rights violations, was ended when the U.S. State
Department announced it would allow Guatemala to buy 6.3 million dollars worth of
U.S. Defence Department spare parts and other equipment for its air force. The embargo
was lifted because of what the U.S. said were "significant steps" taken by Guatemala's
present government to end human rights abuses.
But Prime Minister Price said he feared the resumption of arms sales and equipment to
Guatemala as a threat to Belizean security. Guatemala harbours a long-standing claim
to Belizean territory and has refused to recognise its independence gained 16
months ago from Britain.
Under an agreement with the Belizean Government Britain still maintains 1,800 troops in
its former colony as well as a squadron of Harrier jump-jets, Scorpion tanks and Rapier
missiles as a deterent to Guatemalan aggression. But British hopes for a settlement
of the Belize dispute rose following Guatemala's apparent easing of its territorial
claim, informed sources in London said today.
Guatemalan president Efrain Rios Montt said on Wednesday his government would drop its
demand for sovereinty over Belize and would only press for the southern one fifth of
the country. Earlier today Belize stated that it was willing to provide Guatemala with
free access to its ports on the Caribbean Sea its economic zone but it would under no
circumstances compromise on the cessation or diminution of its sovereignty,
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/13: CIA-RDP08001297R000400150011-2
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VI. 17 Jan 83
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Talks between Great Britain, Belize and Guatemala are scheduled to open on
January 24 in New York.
Meanwhile tensions between the countries were underscored today when relatives of four
Guatemalan fishermen claimed that the fishermen were arrested by an English patrol
boat off a small island near Belizean waters. The relatives said the men were taken
to and jailed in the Belizean port town of Punta Gorda. So far there has been no
official government reaction to the families claims from either Belize or Guatemala.
EL SALVADOR
1FENSE MINISTER RESIGNATION RUMORS DENIED
PA162043 Paris AFP in Spanish 1924 GMT 16 Jan 83
[Text] San Salvador, 16 Jan (AFP) -- The eventual resignation of Gen Jose Guillermo
Garcia, Salvadoran defense minister, within 3 months, was denied today by persons close
to the high officer. The same sources said that it was "too early to talk about a
resignation" by Garcia. The rumors regarding his resignation persisted in political
circles, following the solution of the crisis created by the rebellion of a high
officer in the northern department of Cabanas.
Political circles have said that Garcia's resignation could have been part of the
agreement which the high command reached with Col Sigifredo Ochoa, the officer who
rebelled and threatened not to relent until Garcia resigned. Ochoa had accused
Garcia of corruption.
Ochoa has been mentioned in relation to rightist leader Roberto d'Aubuisson. The
colonel, who commanded the 1,200-man Sensuntepeque garrison in Cabanas Department,
rebelled on 8 January, after he received an order transferring him to the Salvadoran
Embassy in Uruguay.
After 6 days he changed his attitude. So far, nothing has been said about the
agreement he reached with the Salvadoran authorities.
"There is no reason for Minister Garcia to resign," a person close to Garcia said
in response to a question. However, he did say that "such a decision could take
place any moment." In his most recent news conference, President Alvaro Magana said
that ministers do not have a fixed term in office and that "just as the defense
minister could be changed, the same could occur with other officials; for this
reason there are cabinet changes at the end of the year."
HEAVY FIGHTING, CASUALTIES REPORTED IN TEJNTLA
PA140510 San Salvador EL DIARIO DE HOY in Spanish 13 Jan 83 pp 2, 30
[Text] The struggle to evict the terrorists from Tejutla continued yesterday with
heavy fighting, according to unofficial reports. This town, located in Chalatenango
Department, was seized by subversives on Saturday night after heavy fighting left a
large number of casualties (dead and wounded) including army troops and extremists.
It was previously reported that in its bid to dislod the terrorists the army was
using troops from the 4th Infantry Brigade, stationed El Paraiso.
It was also reported unofficially there that the subverstves dynamited several
electric towers and that Chalatenango Department was left without electricity.
However, this report was not confirmed.
The two previous nights, the inhabitants of towns in northern El Salvador sighted
many helicopters without lights. They were probably taking supplies to the troops
who are fighting in the Tejutla area.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/09/13: CIA-RDP08001297R000400150011-2