RESTRICTED
HKG 012/3
RESTRICTED
FCO 18183OZ JUN 79
TO ROUTINE GRAND TURK
TELEGRAM NUMBER 103 OF 18 JUNE
Mr-blando.r).
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INFO SAVING WASHINGTON UKMIS NEW YORK BRIDGETOWN (B HC AND DEVDIV) NASSAU KINGSTON PORT OF SPAIN FOR SLO
MY TELNO. 79: TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS - CONSTITUTIONAL ADVANCE
1. THE MINISTER OF STATE HAS SEEN DUFF'S LETTER OF 2 MAY TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE RECORD OF THE MEETING THE CHIEF MINISTER AND MR MAGUIRE HAD WITH OFFICIALS IN THE F C O ON 21 MAY. HE AGREES WITH THE LINE TAKEN BY OFFICIALS.
2. WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE GRANTING OF FULL INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT PROVIDED IT IS LINKED TO AN UNDERTAKING TO MOVE TO INDEPENDENCE WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME THEREAFTER ONLY AS LONG AS 13 NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES LEADING TO INDEPENDENCE (USUA NOT MORE THAN 12 MONTHS).
3. BEFORE AGREEING TO THE GRANT OF INDEPENDENCE WE SHALL NEED TO E CONVINCED THAT THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE REALLY WANT.
4. WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO GRANT FULL INTERNAL SELF GOVERNEMENT WITHOUT A CONCOMITANT UNDERTAKING TO BECOME INDEPENDENT SHORTLY THEREAFTER AS TO DO SO WOULD PLACE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY INTERNATIONALLY FOR AC OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS WHICH MAY WELL HAVE EXTERNAL REPERCUSSIONS WITHOUT OUR HAVING THE MEANS TO CONTRO THEM
CARRINGTON Rues
WIAD (7)
HRVQD
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LEYAL ABV; (m lesmrona)
PS/MO RIDLEY
POIPUS
SIL A DUPO
COPIES TO:
MR FOGARTY
ODA
HL PENNOLL