GPS 475
CONFIDENTIAL
A
PRIORITY
YPHERCAT A
FM UKMIS NEW YORK 142316Z
CONFIDENTIAL
Hka 025/3
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
TO PRIORITY FCO TEL NO 1302 OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1977 15 SEP 1977
REPORT OF VISITING MISSION TO CAYMANS
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
No. J.Jiba EL
1. THE COMMITTEE OF 24 BEGAN CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT ON 13
SEPTEMBER AND IS LIKELY TO CONCLUDE WITH THE ADOPTION OF A
RESOLUTION ON THE AFTERNOON OF 16 SEPTEMBER. MESSRS. BODDEN AND
SMITH BOTH SPOKE FOR THE CAYMANS BROADLY FOLLOWING THE LINES OF
PARAS 1 TO 3 OF GRAND CAYMAN TEL NO 129.
2. BODDEN AND SMITH TELL US THAT THEY WERE MANDATED BY THE LEGIS-
LATIVE ASSEMBLY TO SECURE AMENDMENTS TO PARAS 491 AND 492 OF THE
REPORT. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD PARA 491 AND THEY NOW SEEM
CONTENT WITH EXPLANATIONS GIVEN BY VUNIBOBO WHILE INTRODUCING THE
REPORT. BUT THEY STILL DO NOT WANT THE COMMITTEE TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATION IN PARA 492 THAT H.M.G. WORK OUT CONSTITUTIONAL
CHANGES WITH THEM. AS WE UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION, IT CAN ONLY
HINDER THE CHANCES OF THE KIND OF MOVE THE GOVERNOR ENVISAGED IN
PARA 6 OF HIS TEL NO 129 IF CAYMANIANS IN GENERAL FEEL DISGRUNTLED WITH THE WAY THE UN EXERCISE HAS TURNED CUT.
3. THERE IS NO CHANCE OF THE COMMITTEE MODIFYING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT, NOR WOULD WE NECESSARILY WANT THEM TO DO SO, OR TO WITHOLD APPROVAL OF THE REPORT AS A WHOLE. THE MOST LIKELY TEXT OF THE RELEVANT PARAS OF THE RESOLUTION IS:
(A) APPROVES THE REPORT AS CONTAINING AN ACCURATE EXPRESSION OF THE VIEWS OF THE CAYMANIAN PEOPLE,
(B) INVITES THE ATTENTION OF THE ADMINISTERING POWER TO THE OBSER- VATIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AS
APPROPRIATE BEARING IN MIND THE EXPRESSED WISHES OF THE CAYMANIAN
PEOPLE.
BODDEN AND SMITH ARE REASONABLY CONTENT WITH THIS AS IT DRAWS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE FACTUAL BASIS OF THE REPORT AND ITS RECOMM- ENDATIONS. THEY REMAIN ANXIOUS HOWEVER AND ANTICIPATE CRITICISM ON THEIR RETURN ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT STILL PUTS PRESSURE ON THEM TO
CHANGE THEIR CONSTITUTION, AND THAT HMG COULD USE EVEN THIS INDIRECT
ENDORSEMENT OF PARA 492 TO FORCE THE PACE.
CONT
AL
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