British Honduras - World's Newest Hot-Spot ?
British Honduras, the only British colony in Central America, looks like quickly becoming the centre of a new international flare-up. Within the next few days, it is understood, the Royal Navy attack carrier Ark Royal, with 30 Buccaneer and Phantom bombers on board, will have arrived at Belize, the largest city and former capital of the 120,000 population dependency. Six other ships and 4,000 troops are also reported as heading for British Honduras.
The British force is being sent following reports of Guatemalan troops massing on the border with British Honduras - although the Guatemalan Government have stated that their troops are merely hunting anti-Government guerillas, and no invasion is planned. The Guatemalans have described as 'unfriendly' the decision to send the British force.
Guatemala, now ruled by an extreme right-wing dictatorship, have long claimed the tiny British colony as usurped territory; in fact, the land was originally leased to British by Spain, with the proviso that it only be used as a slave colony for the cutting and hauling of timber, and that no permanent settlement be established there.
British Honduras, Prime Minister Mr. George Price has promised his people - 90% of whom are black - that their country will become independent this year. It is said that Britain would be happy to give up her last American outpost, but previous attempts at working out an independence deal have ended due to fears of Guatemala, who has made no secret of the fact that they need the territory for an Atlantic seaport.
At his desk, the Hon. Lindbergh Rodgers, first Minister and second-in-command of the PUP ruling party.
Photo measures 8.25 x 10 inches.
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