CONFIDENTIAL
4. The policy of accelerated decolonisation put forward in
1975, apart from being a useful' tactical weapon for discussions
in the UN, has not resulted in any specific instances. of
quicker decolonisation. The Seychelles, which achieved
independence in 1976, and the other territories in the Pacific
moved towards independence at the usual pace. On the other hand
so much authority has been devolved within individual Dependenat
Territories that Governors can rely only on persuasion to
secure the essential British interests arising out of our
Colonial responsibilities. Our authority will continue to
erode as Territories succedd in chiselling further devolution
of power from us whilst resisting the final stages of
decolonisation.
;-
The position is clearly unsatisfactory. A new
initative is required to encourage the reluctant Territories
to move forward to independence.
5. When the policy of accelerated decolonisation was set down
in 1975 the alternative solutions to independence were:
a) Federation or association with a regional grouping.
Not practical for the five Caribbean territories
b) Association or integration with a third power.
This solution has rarely proved satisfactory in the
past and is unlikely to do so in the future. However
consideration has been given to the following
associations:
Montserrat
Antigua
Turks & Caicos-
Bahamas
Anguilla
St Maarten
BVI
USVI
CONFIDENTIAL
c) UN Trusteeship/