714.44A15/214
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. LaVerne Baldwin
| Participants: | Mr. Laurence Duggan, Chief, Ra.30 |
| Fay A. Des Portes, Minister to Guatemala. | |
| Mr. Ray.31 | |
| Mr. Baldwin. |
Mr. Duggan referred to Resolution XIX of the Second Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the American Republics held at Habana, Cuba, which states as follows:32
“The Question of Belize
“The Second Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics
Resolves:
“To express the keen desire and wishes of the American countries in favor of a just, peaceful and prompt solution of the question of Belize between Guatemala and Great Britain.”
Mr. Duggan said that the resolution as adopted is the first of two sentences which the Guatemalan delegate had presented in the appropriate committee on the administration of European colonies and possessions in the Americas. The delegate had also introduced a second part which called for the allotment to Guatemala of Belize and the control and government of that colony by Guatemala. This had slipped through toward the end of a long session. Mr. Duggan continued that at the following secret meeting of the full twenty-one representatives, the matter came up again. The Guatemalan Foreign Minister delivered an impassioned plea as to the difficulties Guatemala had encountered over a long period of time in attempting to settle the Belize question and in general a thorough exposé of the Guatemalan side. The Uruguayan delegate then arose and suggested that the resolution be withdrawn, principally on the basis of allotment to Guatemala of Belize. Mr. Duggan stated he was informed afterwards that the Mexican delegate had inspired this action.
[Page 443]It was then proposed that the Belize resolution be voted on in two parts. The first sentence as now in the resolution was then adopted unanimously and greeted with loud and prolonged applause, at the conclusion of which tense silence reigned. The Guatemalan delegate then arose slowly, indicated that he was deeply touched by the demonstration with its full evidence of sympathy to the Guatemalan cause and withdrew the latter half of the resolution.
Mr. Duggan told Mr. Des Portes that he intended to call in Mr. Butler of the British Embassy and inform him of this episode, in an endeavor to cause the British to take some action towards settling their difficulties with Guatemala.