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abode in the UK to BDTCs from Gibraltar and the Falklands. In both cases,
In both cases, we justified this by pointing to unique circumstances of regional politics, but the impression given is that certain DTs have been accorded a privileged status because the majority of their inhabitants are white-skinned.
12. Until 1997 we cannot expect the Home Office to review the case for a BDT citizenship which would grant the right of abode for the smaller Dependent Territories, but meanwhile we should take such palliative measures as are in our power to show good will and ease the travel of Bermudians to Europe. That Sir J Sharpe has felt the need to write both to our Ambassador to the EC and to the Home Office is a virtual admission that he does not feel strong enough to negotiate alone with the governments of major Western European States. Given HMG's ultimate responsibility for the external relations of our dependent territories, we should be failing in our duty if we continued to distance ourselves from this issue in the case of Bermuda with her uniquely advanced Constitution and the international business role which she plays.
13. The Secretary of State on whom the Premier called on 31 January, said that it was up to Bermuda to conduct bilateral negotiations and we would give this our support. We should now put these words into practice by instructing our Embassies to support any approaches made by Bermuda to those Foreign Ministers of the six EC countries which still require visas of Bermudian holders of BDTC passports. We have the opportunity here to help resolve a thoroughly unsatisfactory and illogical situation, which was neither of Bermuda's making nor the intention of the legilsators of the 1981 Act. Once the majority of the EC give in, other European countries may follow, probably without our needing to give Bermuda any help.
Meanwhile by giving this assistance, we make it more likely that the government of Bermuda, the wealthiest and politically best connected of the Caribbean and Atlantic DTs, will be prepared to live with the status quo on citizenship until the Hong Kong factor is resolved.
HD2AHX/4
Rivi Galan
RS GORHAM
CONFIDENTIAL