PRESS RELEASE

Delegations of Belize and Guatemala held meetings at the Headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C., July 17-20, 2000 to continue their negotiations on the territorial differendum existing between the two countries. The meeting was witnessed by Dr. Enrique Lagos, Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs, in representation of the Secretary General of the OAS, Dr. C�sar Gaviria.

Both Delegations agreed to Terms of Reference for a Panel of Facilitators and to Terms of Reference for a Mixed Commission to consider and implement confidence-building measures. They also agreed on a mechanism to establish military to military contacts and co-operation between the two countries, and to that effect to hold a high level defense policy meeting presided by the Ministers of Defense of the two countries on or before August 15, 2000. Ministers from the two States will preside at the installation of the Panel of Facilitators at the OAS Headquarters on August 31, 2000.

The Delegations further agreed to invite the Secretary General of the OAS to serve as Honor Witness to the negotiation process, to serve as a convenor of the Parties and of the Facilitators, and to make recommendations.

The Delegation of Belize was headed by H.E. Assad Shoman, Senior Ambassador with Ministerial rank. The Delegation of Guatemala was headed by H.E. Gabriel Orellana Rojas, Minister of Foreign Affairs.