1
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A
B
C
Recommendation
3. At a meeting with the Prime Minister on 22 May
Secretary of State Baker asked whether the Americans
could build a screening centre for Haitian refugees on
the TCI because their own screening centre at Guantanamo
Bay was overwhelmed. The Prime Minister undertook to
consider this. The Department advised that the
request should be turned down because of the unacceptable
burden it would place on the TCI, the harm it would do to
our relations with the TCI Government,
the TCI Government, the risk of
adverse publicity and the likelihood that HMG would have
to compensate the TCI Government for any long-term
effects on their economy.
4.
The Prime Minister has accepted the substance of the
Department's advice, but he does not want the issue to be
raised at Camp David. He would prefer nothing to be said
to the Americans until after he has left the USA. But I f
postponing a response would make it more likely that
President Bush would be briefed to raise the issue at
Camp David, No 10 accept that HMA Washington might need
to take pre-emptive action beforehand.
5. The tactics are difficult to judge, and we need the
advice of HMA Washington. He should also be asked for
advice whether, if pre-emptive action is not to be
taken before Camp David, the response should be given:
(a) by Mr Garel-Jones when he sees Mr Aronson on 8
June;
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