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The TCI already has a serious problem with illegal immigrants from Haiti, as distinct from boat people. This has exacerbated local feelings against Haitians, which are running high. We have been at considerable pains to establish a good working relationship with the TCI Government, which we hope may serve as a model in managing our other Caribbean DTs. If we attempt to run roughshod over them to please the Americans, the whole of that effort will be wasted.
Other Caribbean and Latin American states have not stepped forward, though many of them are immeasurably better-equipped to help than our small DTS. And the US may not fully understand that we have international obligations regarding the treatment of the boat people by the DTS, not only under the UN Refugee Convention, but also under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Finally, we should not take lightly the possible consequences to the UK of accepting boat people on Crown UK territory on behalf of the Americans. In international law responsibility would fall to the UK, and not the US. We could in law be held responsible for each Haitian thus accepted and for the screening process. Whatever assurance the US Administration were to offer, the experience of Hong Kong, and the fickle nature of Congress and the US Courts, should give us pause for thought. Given the precarious financial state of the TCI Government we would have to accept liability for every cost associated with such a programme were the US Administration unable to deliver on their (so far loose) promises. If the economy of the TCI suffered as a consequence of the boat people's presence, HMG would probably have to bear the burden under the aid budget.
If the Prime Minister agrees, we propose to instruct Sir R Renwick to explain our difficulties to Baker's office, emphasising that this has been looked at again carefully in the light of Baker's personal request. You may also wish to speak to Scowcroft to reinforce that we have real problems which prevent us from helping directly as we would wish.
Yours ever Christosher Puntrie
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(CN R Prentice) Private Secretary
J S Wall Esq
10 Downing Street
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