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is worth money in itself to the local economy. A policy of progressive disengagement from the dependencies, even in the absence of any immediate territorial claims could, unless well
handled, undermine local confidence, increase the dangers of
criminal activity on the islands and upset the United States.
Adequate preparation for the transition to a new security arrangement underlines the importance of not spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar- a British disease.
23 The task of convincing the US that it is in their interests
to fill the security gap left by a UK withdrawal will present a
number of difficult diplomatic problems. It is preferable
however to do this by a process of discussion and negotiation than by presenting them with a fait accompli on the timetable for our withdrawal. The latter would certainly ensure that the US
were forced to consider their options and interests in relation to the dependencies, but it would also be unacceptably damaging
to the bilateral relationship. In convincing the US of the
seriousness of our intentions and the sense of a disengagement
policy the following factors would be important: a) we should
avoid establishing too tight a deadline for disengagement, b) a
credible programme should be devised for each dependency designed to set it firmly and clearly on its own feet, c) we should
consistently deploy the valid case, relevant particularly to the
Caribbean, on the present imbalance between UK and US interests
and responsibilities in the region, d) we should be prepared to
accept a continuing responsibility in Bermuda after independence
in view of our considerable interests there, and e) we should not
expect the US to take over all our security responsibilities in the dependencies before independence, but should however seek a
gradual build up of US security involvement in the intervening
period.
Economic Aspects
24 The Caribbean and Bermudan economies are either already
strong enough for independence to be viable or, if not yet, they
can be strengthened sufficiently. The attached table (Annex B) makes some simple comparisons between the six possible candidates
for independence, Commonwealth states made independent since 1973
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