STAFF:
IN CONFIDENCE
8262
Mr Quantrill
Mrs Gregory
LAST
RE. 2
CARIBBEAN GOVERNORSHIPS ETC
1. Your minute of 1 February below.
•
2.
Reference HKA 431/2. (Annex))
DECAYED H
DESK
INDE
13 FEB 1979
to My PX
Mr Stratton spoke to me about some of these points on his return from the Caribbean today.
(a)
3
Belize Mr Stratton confirmed that it was Mr McEntee's assessment that Mr Price is likely to be defeated in the elections due in October, and that the new government would not wish to seek early independence. Mr Stratton agreed that in those circumstances the new Governor would need to be a hard headed colonial administrator, capable of clawing back reserved powers. He also agreed that Mr Russell would be a good candidate. I pointed out that a decision on the succession to Mr McEntee (Mr Stratton confirmed that he would be asking to retire in December) would need to be made at the DTSAB in May, some months before the election. would presumably have to look for a colonial administrator or a Diplomatic Service officer with extensive Dependent Territories experience.
We
It would
be necessary to inform POD of the changed prescription so that they could see whether they had any one available who may do.
(b) Cayman Islands Mr Stratton said that there would be
strong local pressure for Mr Russell to stay on well into 1981 rather than retire in mid-1980. If Mr Russell seemed the best candidate for Belize (see above) a difficult choice would have to be made. Mr Stratton was not sure whether Mr Lloyd would be a suitable replacement for Mr Russell. Apart from his health, he was essentially a bureaucrat and there might be friction with the Cayman Islanders who were very business-minded and liked to take short cuts. regards other candidates, Mr Stratton said that Mr Strong was no longer interested in going to the Caymans. He thought there was a job to be done in the Turks and Caicos and preferred to see out his time there.
fun
RJT McLaren
As
5 February 1979
Hong Kong and General Department
CODE 18. 17
STAFF:
IN CONFIDENCE