CONFIDENTIAL
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DSR 11C
the Dependent Territories will continue to be a first call on
our aid programme. In deciding how aid resources should be
used in the Dependent Territories, our principal objective will
be to increase the Territories' ability to rely on their own
resources, although we recognise that in some ferritories the
possibility of full economic independence is remote. In the
past, a generous allocation of development aid, and in certain
often cases also budgetary aid, has formed a vital ingredient in
achieving the final independence agreement. The possibility of
similar action in future cases will continue to be borre in mind
6. Although our preference will remain for a straight choice
between continued dependency or full independence, we shall
always be prepared to consider on their merits any proposals
for alternative arrangements that may be thought appropriate
for particular Territories. This may include association or
integration with the UK, or even with another country, but will
certainly not again include the relationship provided for under
the 1967 West Indies Act which led to the creation of the West
Indies Associated States. Our experience since 1967 has
clearly demonstrated the drawbacks of an arrangement which left
us answerable for the consequences of policies over which we
had no control.
7.
I am addressing this despatch to all officers administering
the governments of British Dependent Territories, and to the
British Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides; and I am
sending copies to the UK Permanent Representative at the United
Nations, to HM Ambassadors in Washington, Mexico City, Madrid
and Buenos Aires, and to the British High Commissioners in
Ottawa, Canberra, Wellington, Georgetown, Port of Spain,
Kingston, Bridgetown, Nassau and Suva.
CONFIDENTIAL
Dd 0532000 400 M 5178 HMSO Bracknell