CONFIDENTIAL
HKG 025/2
Regist No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
DRAFT 4th REVISE 23.2.78
To:-
Outline of a draft paper to Review Current Policy on Decolonisation
Type 1 +
From
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
DSR11
...In Confidence
REVIEW OF DECOLONISATION POLICY
Introduction
1.
11
In
This review has been initiated as a result of questions raised by the recent disturbances in Bermuda and their implications for our present policy of decolonisation. his minute of 6 January 1977 to Mr Stewart, Mr Cortazzi said
Responsibility without power is surely the first thing we should try to avoid. How far have we already gone in granting internal self-government without retaining the power to veto actions which could affect internal security...? We should analyse the position in our remaining Territories and study the implications for our policy on accelerated decolonisation".
Statement of Policy on Decolonisation
2(a) This policy was formulated in Mr Callaghan's despatch HX 2/1 of June 1975, as there was felt to be a need to review the position of the remaining Dependent Territories in terms of their future political development and to assess the amount of economic aid needed to make them viable states.
It was
obvious that there would have to be an attempt to reconcile HMG's own interests which generally lie in the direction of "accelerated decolonisation", and those of the inhabitants
of the Colonies which may in some cases lie in continued dependence.
(b) The circumstances, needs and resources of the Colonies
differ widely, so individual studies would have to be carried out for each Territory before questions as to their
future could be considered. Only when necessary conditions for sustaining independence could be created in the DTs, would we be able to forumulate an effective policy enabling,' us to relinquish our colonial responsibilities.
/Revaluation
Dd 108087 400M S&K 1/77
!! THETFORD NORFOLK IN
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