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CODE 18-77
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Quantrill (Hong Kong and General Dept K 247)
Quantrill
No Clashe
822/11
POLICY TOWARDS DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1.
Reference
HICC 025/2
** 0. 51
16 NOV 1978
DESK OFACER
INDEX
PA
į REGISTRY Action Tuke
ماه
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We spoke about your minute of 10 October and enclosures and agreed that you did not require a full reply in respect of the Falkland Islands.
2. We agree that the British Antarctic Territory is not relevant to the purpose of your
3.
exercise.
In the case of the Falkland Islands, independence is not an option. As you know, the Islands are claimed by the Argentines and we are currently negotiating with them (terms of reference for the negotiations are attached). As you will see, our objective is to "achieve a stable, prosperous and politically durable future for the Islands". Our negotiations with the Argentines are at an early stage and no rapid progress towards a solution should be expected.
4.
There are only 1850 Islanders and their wish is to remain under British sovereignty. No proposals could be put to Parliament unless they were first acceptable to the Islanders themselves. The comparison with Belize is really one of contrasts.
5. Draft territorial survey
Attached.
6.
Reserved Powers
It is difficult to envisage in the present political climate, any circumstances in which we sould consider transferring our reserved powers to the Falkland Islands Government.
7.
Aid Policy
Since independence is not an option, it follows that there is no link in our aid policy for the Falklands and movement towards independence. Our main aim has been to improve the economic and social structure of the Islands in an attempt to halt the economic decline and the dwindling population.
8.
Defence
Once again, the Argentine dimension over-shadows the issue. I agree with paragraph 4 of Mr Munroe's minute of 24 October to you.
9. As I mentioned I am in some doubt as to whether your inevitably generalised conclusions on, for example, aid and defence policy will be particularly relevant to the Falklands. Specifically if the Governor needed a formula to reassure local feeling about Britain's responsibility on defence, he would need to ask us for a form of words which met the specific circumstances of the Falklands.
10. Would you please let us see the finalised draft despatch before it issues.
J.R. Cowh
JR Cowling
South America Department K 274
233 4077
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CONFIDENTIAL