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security. This action has, however, led to threats by Turks
and Caicos Ministers to disrupt the government. In other colonies
have we got into a position in which we could not exercise the
sort of veto we used in the Turks and Caicos? I am not concerned
here with the last stage of internal self government before final
independence e.g. in the Solomon Islands because the period in
question is strictly limited. I think we should analyse the
position in our remaining territories and study the implications
for our policy of accelerated decolonisation.
3. In the case of Bermuda my inclination has been that we could
safely let things run their course and that it did not matter if
the green paper did not lead to early independence.
I think we
have to reconsider this. Should we now put it to Bermuda Ministers
that we cannot contemplate a repetition of last week's events and
that if they wish to retain the death penalty and their present
powers we must urge them to make speedy progress towards full
independence?
4. Perhaps we should have a meeting to discuss this in the light
of Departments analyses on the current position.
6 December 1977
PS/PUS
cc: Mr Stratton
Mr Duff
Mr Snodgrass
M2 RUSHFORD K188
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How Cortaz
HAH Cortazzi