Belize and Guatemala Agree To...Talk

Another round of talks between Belize and Guatemala have concluded in Washington and both sides have agreed only to talk some more.

The process started enthusiastically with the OAS announcing that Guatemala had agreed to a new set of confidence building measures. But working out the nuts and bolts of that accord will require more negotiation. A release today from Belize's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that a joint commission will be established to examine a comprehensive list of new confidence building measures including a legal mutual legal assistance treaty, a free trade agreement, and other matters. Until that can be worked out at meetings in June, the confidence building measures will remain in effect.