(ii)
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where the granting of independence is inhibited by
international claims, relations or treaties, to reach an
accommodation with the other powers concerned so that (i)
may be achieved;
(iii)
where the granting of independence would prejudice valuable
UK national, strategic, communications, scientific or
commercial interests, to seek to establish with the
territory, if necessary in co-operation with other
interested powers, a relationship designed to secure these
interests at the minimum long-term cost to the UK, even if
this involves the retention of dependent status".
34. If this policy were to be continued today for these twelve
territories it could be argued that Bermuda is the only territory
which could become independent without many wider foreign policy implications. Equally, however, the problems concerning narcotics,
security etc vis à vis the five Caribbean territories would be
fairly similar whether they remained dependencies or became
independent. Except that, as the 1973 Review noted
"there are recurrent risks that these small territories,
eg after
breakdowns of local law and order, may involve HMG in military
intervention, or even in conflicts with other powers both
liable to embarass us internationally and divert our adminis-
tration and financial resources from tasks more vital to the UK
itself".
If some or all of the five Caribbean territories became independent
the responsibility for their problems might, in theory be more easy
to share, but encouraging a move towards independence cannot be seen
as a cheap or easy option given the financial and political unprepar-
edness of most of the populated territories.
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