NOTE FOR MR LUARD
3.
OCEAN ISLAND AND THE BANABANS
1.
BACKGROUND)
+
Reverend Tebuke Rotan has recently had meetings with the Secretary of State and the Minister of State and these are now being followed up in a series of meetings which he is having with
Mr Posnett. It is important that discussion in the House of
Commone should not prejudice these on-going and constructive
discussions.
[Although a Conference in Nauru between Gilberts and Banabans is now contemplated this should not be mentioned publicly as it has not yet been agreed to by the Gilbertese].
2.
Mr Posnett was properly briefed in the short time available to him before he departed for Ocean Island. His main charge of course was to hear what the Gilbertese and the Banabans had to say rather
than to hear what the FCO views were, or the views of "advisers".
3. E
The case against the Crown is still sub judice pending possible appeal. Judgement is also awaited in the case against the BPC on damages for replanting.
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28 July 1977