MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Guatemala lobbies for OAS mediation in Belize

Guatemala will officially request the Organization of American States, OAS, to reactivate its mediation in the territorial dispute between Guatemala and the former Central America British Overseas Territory Belize, (British Honduras).

Guatemala's Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Briz announced Sunday that he will be flying this week to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to hold a private meeting with OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza to whom he will ask the mediation resumption.

Guatemala and neighboring Belize have a long standing territorial dispute going back over a century and Guatemala insists discussions must proceed in the framework of OAS as was agreed by both sides some years ago. However, apparently Belize believes it's time to take the case to the International Court of The Hague.

Mr. Briz underlined that taking the case to The Hague should be a last resort, emphasizing that peaceful negotiations, with OAS mediation would ensure a "direct, fair and equitable" agreement.

In 2002 Guatemala rejected a solution proposal from OAS arguing that it did not take into account Guatemala's claim over half of the former British Overseas Territory land.

The proposal was drafted by OAS conciliators, Shridath Ramphal from Guyana and US attorney Paul Reichler.

Guatemala is claiming 12,272 for the 23,000 square kilometres of Belize which gained independence from Britain in 1981 but is a member of the Commonwealth.

OAS will be holding its annual General Assembly next week in Fort Lauderdale and US President Bush is scheduled to address the meeting June 6.

Washington is intent in efforts to strengthen democracy in the Americas and approve a critical free-trade agreement.

President Bush will meet Tuesday with the new OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, at the White House to discuss the Fort Lauderdale assembly and the role of the OAS in supporting democracy and promoting prosperity in the hemisphere.