GR500
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
Kuf-
нка
HKG 025/2.
J.J.25/1
FN WASHINGTON 242340Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO ROUTINE F.C.O. TEL NO 286 OF 24 JANUARY
INFO TARAWA
Original at:
This Cony for:
Information only / Action-en Para(s)
U.S. CLAIMS TO THE GILBERT ISLANDS AND TUVALU
1. WHEN WE TOOK THE GOVERNOR OF THE GILBERT. ISLANDS TO CALL ON OAKLEY (DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY, EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC, STATE DEPARTMENT) OAKLEY DEGAN BY ASKING WHETHER H.M.G. COUD ACCEPT A CONDOMINIUM ARRANGEMENT OVER CANTON, ENDERBURY AND HULL, WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH CLAIM, SMITH EXPLAINED THAT THE GILBERTESE WERE ANXIOUS TO RETAIN THE AMERICAN CONNECTION AND IN HIS VIEW WERE READY TO AGREE TO AN ARRANGEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT. THEY WANTED AN INTACT 290 MILE FISHING LIMIT AROUND THE PHOENIX GROUP, U.S. CO-OPERATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FISHING INDUSTRY AND SPECIALISED TOURISM, ACCESS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ON CANTON AND EMPLOYMENT AT THE U.S. BASE. THEY WOULD LIKE CANTON INCLUDED AS THE ROUTE UNDER NECOTIATION WITH C.A.B. TARAWA/ CHRISTMAS ISLAND/HONOLULU.
2, IN. THE SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION. IT EMERGED THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF BOTHS SIDES MIGHT BEST BE ACHIEVED BY AMENDMENT OF THE 1939 .. CONDOMINIUM AGREEMENT:-
A. TO INCLUDE HULL ́ÁS WELL AS CANTON AND ENDERBURY:
B. TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO RUN AT LEAST UNTIL THE AUTUMN OF THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT (1989) AND POSSIBLY LONGER :
C. TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ASPECTS OF THE 1970 AGREEMENT WITH REGARD TO LIMITED ACCESS AND TO PERMIT FISHING, COPRA PRODUCTION AND SETTLEMENT BY THE GILDERTESE ON THE PART OF HULL NOT IN MILITARY USE: BUT
D. THE U.S. THOUGHT THERE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO BE SOME SOVEREIGNTY IN RESPECT OF THE FISHING OR OTHER RIGHTS ARISING FROM THE LAND AREAS COVERED BY THE CONDOMINIUM.