76A
AD.
Reference......
co. Mr. Freeland, F.0.
F.E.P.D. (Mr.Blair) W.Indian 'A'
(Mr. Blakeway)
W.Indian 'B'
(Miss Terry) P.I.O.D.
(Mr. Jerrom) Gibraltar &
Atlantic
(Mr. Cumming-Bruce) Hong Kong Dept. (Mr.Gaminara)
Mr. Middleton
A.E. & D. Dept.
I refer to your minute of 19 September about the Kon-Proliferation Treaty.
2.
The Dependent Territories are of course not posts in the ordinary sense but have separate Governments usually, at least in part, elected and in some cases with a high degree of internal autonomy. I do not therefore think that we ought to address them in the terms of 'X' of your draft telegram Indeed, unless the urgency is extreme, I would, with respect, suggest that we should send them a full copy of the treaty by mail, go on to explain our interpretation of the position regarding Associated States and Dependent Territories as set out at 'y' of your draft telegram; say that for this reason it is our view that our ratification of the treaty will of necessity be a ratification also on behalf of them; and enquire whether they have any objections. We should then clearly go on to explain (as you do in the other parts of your draft telegram) the implications for and obligations of the Associated States and Dependent Territories which will arise when we ratify the treaty.
3. If the timetable makes it impossible to deal with the matter by mail, I would, nonetheless, suggest that the telegram should be re-arranged so as to present the issue on the lines ́ suggested above and that a separate parallel telegram should be sent containing the texts of relevant articles of the treaty. I do not think that it is really reasonable to ask Governments to express views on a treaty which will involve them and which they have not had the opportunity of examining. I take it that this would mean telegraphing the whole of Articles I to III; if so, then I think that this should be done, especially as the text is not unduly long.
4. The territories dealt with by West Indian Department B are Bahamas, Bermuda, British Honduras, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands; they are all Dependent Territories.
pp.
4. A. Westmaas, P.A.
dictated by A. J. Fairclough
19 September, 1968 West Indian Dept. B
R.205.
PA on file
Ans
19.9-68.
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