CODE 18-77
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference......
19
L&R Nomiley
LARNO
Mr Jagger (HKGD) 1127/1
cc: Mr Posnett
Mr Snodgrass Mr Sanders
Miss Binns Mr Dale
(DT Adviser - W 81) (PDTD - K 229A)
(Research Dept - G 6/1
HKG 025/2
(Planning Staff - W 10 RECEIVE"
15
(WIAD - K 223)
Mr Collins
(MCD K 365A)
DECOLONISATION
MICRY NO. 51
27 JAN 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
VES. J.J
你
REGISTRY Action Taken
ве
1. Thank you for letting us see the draft paper attached to your minute of 9 January.
2. We do not of course have a complete picture, nor all the papers. But it seems to us that much at least of the thorough review of our decolonisation policy carried out in 1975 is still valid. Present concern seems to stem from the risk of devolution of powers leading to further embarrassments through our having responsibility without sufficient local power (viz Bermuda). This does not of itself invalidate the conclusions of the 1975 paper.
3. Like Mr Sanders, we doubt whether a major new review is in fact necessary. Mr Callaghan's despatch admitted that "the continu- ing process of devolution to local governments tends to leave us with responsibility without the effective control necessary to carry it out, and consequently liable to domestic and international embarrass- ment if, for instance, we should have to use force to maintain law and order"; but it did not consider the matter further. It is this aspect that now needs to be pursued. We are disposed to agree with you in general that "no further powers should be devolved on local ministers unless they agree to a date for independence".
In our larger dependencies the gradual handing over of powers to local ministers was naturally part of the preparation for independence; and it was a natural instinct to act similarly in small dependencies even where there was no real ambition for independence. Considera- tion needs to be given to the implications of devolving powers to ministers in such cases. It would also be useful to consider Miss Binns' question, whether the withdrawal, or withholding, of powers might indeed provoke territories to work for the complete independence which is our goal.
4.
"
...
Mr Callaghan's paper said that "the circumstances of each of the territories differ widely:
separate studies should be put in hand, territory by territory, to define the political objectives appropriate to each. Presumably such studies were done; if so, they might supply some of the answers which Mr Cortazzi needs and also provide a clearer picture of which dependencies could be viable as independent states.
5. Use of the phrase "accelerated decolonisation", with its implied emphasis on IMG's own interests, can divert attention from other important considerations (to which Mr Callaghan's despatch draws attention): the interests and wishes of the inhabitants, the need for a viable social, political and economic infrastructure, our desire for successor governments well disposed towards us.
Very
/relevant
...
CONFIDENTIAL