In sunt it must be unabe clear to
tham that they cannot have thei cake and eat it.
6.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
DSR 11C
Where we agree to continue dependency, it must be understood that such a policy has implications for both sides. As long as a territory prefers to remain dependent further constitutional advance will not normally be granted
adutine and there can be no question of the territory's proceeding to the stage of full internal self government that normally
precedes independence. Where it is understood by both sides that there is no prospect of independence in the immediate future, the British Government will normally need
to retain control over external affairs, defence and
internal security, in addition to a general responsibility for the good government of the territories concerned.
The people in such territories may also find themselves having to accept unpalatable decisions determined more by British political considerations than by what they would see as their own interests: for example, such a situation could develop over capital punishment. We for our part will
revention of accept the obligations implicit in our retaining- responsibility for the territories concerned, including the obligation to defend their interests internationally.
the
7. In his 1975 despatch, Mr Callaghan referred to the policy he was setting out as "accelerated decolonisation". This expression was not however intended to imply that pressure should be brought to bear on territories to move
to independence more rapidly than they wanted to.
It
referred only to the policy of our seeking to create the conditions which would make independence possible and welcome. This remains our policy; and we shall still not put any pressure on those territories which do not wish to become independent.
1175
will continue
h avr
8. One of our principal instruments in pursuing this general policy is of course our aid programme. Aid to the dependencies is a first charge on our aid resources, a priority that continues to apply to former dependencies in the early years of independence. In those dependent
independence territories where we believe ultimate to be possible, our aid is designed to create the necessary physical conditions
for independence. The financial settlements that are offered to dependent territories on the attainment of independence are intended to encourage local politicans
to take the irreversible step to full responsibility for
/their
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONA900 400 M 5/78 HMSO Bracknell