Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT TERRITORIAL SURVEY
Type 1 +
From
To:-
TERRITORY: MONTSERRAT
In Confidence
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
DSR 11
POPULATION: 13,500
SPECIAL FACTORS:
Isolation, poverty
PROSPECTS FOR INDEPENDENCE: Weak economy, dependent on budgetary aid, lacks economic base for independence. There has been no demand for decolonisation. The newly elected
Government lacks political experience though many major decisions are likely to come from the new and dynamic Chief
Minister. There could always be a sudden call for indepen- dence from the Government but popular support is likely to be
low.
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO INDEPENDENCE: Nothing obvious: but when Antigua is independent (? late 1979) there may be a new attitude in Montserrat. There will certainly be scope for much increased sharing of regional services with prospects of economic and political association.
RECOMMENDED POLICY: Accept dependence and seek to build economic basis through development aid and increased recurrent revenue. Attempt to create greater self-
sufficiency.
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 165Page 166
Registry
No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING