Is Associated Statehood a Success?
conform in every detail with the definition of "Free
Association" in United Nations General Assembly Resolution
1541 (xv)
(c) Britain retains overall responsibility for the
conduct of external affairs but has delegated responsibility
to each State for the conducting of external affairs on
behalf of the British Government in certain specified matters.
(a) Britain retains responsibility for the defence of
the Associated States.
(e) The association between Britain and each state is
free and voluntary. As a guarantee of its voluntary nature
it is terminable at any time by either party, though Britain
has undertaken to give six months notice of any intention to
terminate. On termination of association the state would
become fully independent of Britain, but while the association
continues neither side will be able to amend its terms without
the agreement of the other.
The difficulties which have arisen with Anguilla are
peculiar to St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. Associated Statehood,
which was a sincere attempt by Her Majesty's Government at
the decolonisation of small islands which would not be viable
as completely independent units, has not been altogether
unsuccessful in the other four Associated States. It has
only existed for two years not long enough to form a fair
judgement on its success or failure.
Some of the features of the arrangements already adopted
in the associated states may be applicable to other British
But in each instance our policy will remain
territories.
CONFIDENTIAL
/as it