Item 1: Chairman's Opening Remarks
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1 8 MAR 1981
DECK OFFICER
INDEX
1. Mr Ridley welcomed those attending the conference and
PA
BBR expressed his appreciation of the arrangements made for holding
it in Barbados. He said he had no doubt of the value of such
meetings, and expressed regret that, owing to other commitments,
he would only be able to preside over the first day.
en
STRY
Futue
& JTS.
Items 2 and 3: Reports by Governors
2. The following points were made by Governors in reporting
briefly on their territories and in discussion of their reports.
a) Anguilla
3. Much progress had been made since the last conference in 1979.
Separation was now a fact and the economy was on the move,
particularly in the area of new hotel construction. The 1980
general election had swept Ronald Webster back into power. He
was still the man of the people but was autocratic, vindictive
and mean, though he could be influenced for the good.
firmly in the saddle and providing stability.
He was
Constitutional
changes in the immediate future were likely to be largely
cosmetic.
Independence by about 1990 was a possibility and
might be an issue at the next general election. There was a
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need to keep in mind and if possible to encourage the
possibility of future links with St Martin or with the very
loose grouping of Montserrat, St Kitts and Antigua.
b) Belize
4.
Belize was an insulated democratic island in a troubled
sea. The present time-table called for independence by
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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
/September
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