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these two options used selectively in Tristan da Cunha
and/or Ascension, while St Helena maintains its dependent
status.
None of these options is however feasible either before 1997 or
the Falklands problem has been resolved (whichever is the later). But they could be considered again at a later stage.
VI
19
THE REQUIREMENTS UNDERLYING FURTHER MOVES TOWARDS
INDEPENDENCE FOR THE CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES AND BERMUDA
Moving the six territories in the Caribbean and Bermuda to independence (however slowly) entails three broad requirements:
the continuing provision of defence; and in the event of independence the provision of alternative security
arrangements
-
sustaining the economy and as far as possible developing it
as an independent self sustaining system, thus reducing the
burden on the UK.
motivating the population to accept evolution and providing appropriate constitutional and administrative structures.
These are considered in turn.
Possible Alternatives to UK Security Umbrella
20 The need here is to find an alternative regional power (or powers) prepared to be more closely involved in providing for the security of the dependencies both before and, more important, after independence. The choice of possible regional powers is limited. In the Caribbean and Bermuda the US clearly provides
the general security environment. This umbrella embraces the UK dependencies, though the response to any specific threat would at
present have to be met by the UK, with a degree of US involvement depending on the circumstances (vide the response to the drugs
threat in TCI). In the event of independence alternative
arrangements are required both to deter and provide the necessary
response to specific threats, and to offer backing to the
territories' own self-help apparatus. Of the countries in the region Canada has shown a close interest in the affairs of the
East Caribbean islands and has extended aid, most notably to TCI.
They might be pressed to do more, though it seems likely that
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