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CONFIDENTIAL

Mr McLaren

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STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

6

GOVERNORSHIPS OF BELIZE AND CAYMANS

HKA431/2 Annex

Reference

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Minute

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1. I do not think you have seen the attached minute of 8 February 1979 from Mr Stratton.

2. My opinion, for what it is worth is that it would be a mistake for Mr Russell to leave the Caymans and take over from Mr McEntee in Belize. My reasons for this are:-

a) Age grounds. If he went to Belize at the end of this year he would be starting a new Governorship within 6 months of his 60th birthday

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Flag A

1.3.79

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CODE 18-77

c) Need for DS skills. Mr Stratton has cast doubts about Mr Russell's background being right for the external relations side of the Belize Governorship. I think this is very relevant since although he is a first class Colonial administrator, Mr Russell's previous experience has been purely traditional.

3. I wonder whether Mr Stratton realises that Mr Russell has been sounded out about the extension of his present appointment until May 1980 and has confirmed his willingness to continue in his Tel No Personal 5. Personally, I think we should only look this far ahead if we are to put för the DTSAB's recommendation, an extension for Mr Russell. As to the petition received from the Legislative Assembly, this is not at all unusual. We are well aware of Mr Russell's rightly deserved popularity.

4. As regards Mr McEntee, we have not yet heard officially when he wishes to teminate his appointment. I spoke to Mr Beamish, POD, who now has the reply which Mr McEntee sent to Mr Forster on the subject. It seems that his decision on the timing of his departure is affected by his pensionability and PSD are working on it at present. Mr Beamish was not, I think, proposing to bring us in on this but I told him that, though pensions for DS officers were not our concern, it was important for us to be kept in the picture on Mr McEntee's appointment.

THIS IS A COppoint

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNTIL

UNDER FOI

EXEMPTION NO.4.Q......

13 February 1979

Mrs Gregory

1. Many thanks.

E. Gregory.

ET Gregory (Mrs)

1

Hong Kong and General Department

I have had a word with Mr Stratton who has suggested a meeting in two weeks' time when Mr Posnett will be back from his current trip abroad. Please remind me about this

/on

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