third has proved the least unsatisfactory solution so far, and the last category is the only one we haven't tried yet, unless we include Northern Ireland.
7.7 In addition to the countries quoted above, the French have, in theory, opted entirely for integration, but their Overseas Territories have something more akin to a colonial administration (see Annex 9). The Americans have so far opted for a mixture of the last three categories, with Puerto Rico midway between the last two (see Annex 10).
8.
International considerations
8.1 Other international considerations for independence are:
Commonwealth - all our dependencies are,
all our dependencies are, of course, eligible to apply for membership if they wish. A form of special membership, which reduces the cost, is available.
United Nations again available to all.
EEC all our dependencies have a special associate status within the EEC. This would, of course, end when they become independent, but they could continue to benefit from the EEC under the terms of the Lomé Convention.
Dependent Territories General Section
August 1979