Annan urges Belize and Guatemala to persevere in resolving outstanding differences

Welcoming progress in resolving the longstanding territorial controversy between Belize and Guatemala, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the two countries to continue their efforts to settle the issue.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Mr. Annan said he had been closely following the Belize-Guatemala Facilitation Process, which is designed to assist the Governments of the two Central American nations in achieving a peaceful resolution.

"The Secretary-General notes with satisfaction that significant progress has been made since the process began in August 2000 under the auspices of the Organization of American States," spokesman Fred Eckhard said. "He now wishes to urge the parties to persevere in concluding outstanding issues."

The statement emphasized that a permanent, just and equitable solution would benefit the peoples of Belize and Guatemala, and would "signal a new relationship between these Central American neighbours."