GUATEMALA CITY -- Guatemala said Wednesday it is seeking ``the return'' of
 4,738 square miles from neighboring Belize -- more than half the tiny country --
 and is prepared to argue its case in international court.

 The demand was first presented to Belize on Oct. 19, and will be officially
 announced to diplomats next week, Deputy Foreign Minister Rafael Salazar was
 quoted as saying in the Siglo XXI daily.

 Salazar said the government of Prime Minister Said Musa of Belize had
 responded in early January, and foreign ministers of the two countries had agreed
 to meet February 24.