Br. Honduras Control

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 15

Br. Honduras Control

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BELIZE (British Honduras), June 20. Britain Jias drawn up a 13-point secret treaty with Guatemala giving her control of British Honduran defence and foreign policy after the colony becomes independent in 1968, the Opposition Leader, Philip Goldson, has claimed in Belize.

Mr Goldson, leader of the colony's National Independence Party, publicly denounced the British Foreign Office at a week-end meeting as “a heartless breed of men. They don't give a damn about the colonies.”

He listed eight of the 13 points in a draft treaty which he claimed British officials showed a British Honduras delegation during secret British - Guatemalan talks on the colony’s territorial dispute in London three weeks ago. Guatemala has laid claim to the entire territory of British Honduras for 1001 years on grounds of being

the logical heir to the former Spanish empire jurisdiction. Britain acquired the Central American colony from Spain in 1859 and has so far rejected all Guatemalan claims. The colony was given internal self-government in 1964. Mr Goldson said the secret treaty proposals would grant British Honduras independence under the name of Belize by December, 1968. After that Britain would relinguish all claims on the territory. Britain and Guatemala would immediately assume joint defence responsibility, but after 1968 this would be passed to Guatemala, which would provide coastal patrols. Guatemala would also supply the new State’s diplomatic representation abroad. Mr Goldson claimed the proposals also called for a free trade area agreement

and an Integrated transport system with Guatemala. The treaty also proposed a seven-man ministerial commission—three Guatemalans and three Belizean with a world bank official as chairman—to supervise the State’s Roads and Harbours Authority. Guatemala would also be given an outlet to the sea through Belize without paying taxes and duties, Mr Goldson claimed.

Former Soldier Dies.— Brigadier R. W. Rovell, who led the Australian 26th Brigade at the seige of Tobruk in the Second World War and later served as Education Minister in the Victorian State Government, died on Saturday, aged 76—Melbourne, June 20.