CONFIDENTIAL
(a) the security of small entities whether States or dependent
territories. This has been an object of international
concern since the interventions in the Falklands (1982) and
Grenada (1983);
(b) changes in the law of the sea context and the general
acceptance of the 200 mile exclusive economic zone;
Anguilla, Bermuda, British, British Virgin Islands, Cayman
Islands Montserrat, Pitcairn, St Helena, St Helena
Dependencies and the Turks and Caicos Islands all now have
200 mile fishery limits. The (3 mile) territorial waters
limit of the dependent territories is currently under
review. Any extension would be facilitated by the extension
of the UK's territorial waters;
(c)
the world wide concern over drug smuggling very evident in
the Caribbean. A number of international and regional
conferences on the problem are being held this year and next
to discuss narcotics.
(d)
(e)
(£)
the concern for rights manifested by both governments and
non-governmental organisations For example the dispos
sessed Ilois (formerly of "BIOT") are currently considering
whether to negotiate a better compensation settlement with
the British Government. If they do, and negotiations are
not begun the case may well be taken to the British courts;
the growing strength of environmental/Greenpeace lobbying.
This is evident for instance in the current concern over the
Antarctica minerals negotiations and turtles in the Cayman Islands. Pressure from environmental groups also influenced
HMG's decision not to proceed with the sale of Henderson
Island;
the policy of encouraging the Caribbean dependent
territories to develop as offshore financial centres (bringing with it considerable disadvantages such as the increase in the level of internationally organised crime in
CONFIDENT TAT