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(although this would cause problems with Mauritius as the UK has undertaken not to sell or transfer the islands of the BIOT to a third power), a UK/New Zealand Condominium of Pitcairn, UK/South African Condominiums of St Helena and Tristan da Cunha (would cause international/UN difficulties at present). UK/US or UK/Jamaican (Cayman) Condominiums for the Caribbean territories are also theoretically possible and would reflect growing US interest in the
area.
29.
Leaseback
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This option would involve transferring sovereignty of the territory to a third power and then leasing the territory back from that power for a specified or unspecified period of time. Costs to the UK would differ little in the short term although Third Powers could offer financial inducements to the UK in return for
transfer of sovereignty. The most suitable territory for this option could be unpopulated BIOT (the UK has undertaken to cede the territory to Mauritius when no longer needed for defence purposes, but might consider a leaseback arrangement useful to maintain a presence in the area. Such an arrangement would be difficult so long as BIOT remains important to US/UK defence interests. However as Mauritius still claims sovereignty over BIOT, a leaseback arrangement would recognise that claim and might prove popular with them and their Third World allies.) Leaseback of Ascension Island from the US could also be feasible.
30. As for the populated territories, leaseback of the BVI from the US is a distinct possibility. Less likely, but not impossible, would be leaseback of Pitcairn etc from New Zealand (especially if the UK wished to maintain a presence in the area). The wishes of the inhabitants would of course be a crucial factor in considering this option for the populated territories.
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