TNAG-0529-FCO40-624-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 21

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i)

139

THE ASSOCIATED STATES AND THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

THE ASSOCIATED STATES

Early in 1967, the former colonies of Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla and St Lucia became "non-dependent" States in association with Great

Britain. In October 1969, St Vincent also became an

Associated State. Following a repudiation of government from St Kitts by Anguilla, British forces intervened and

the island came under direct British administration in

1969. The Anguillans accepted a compromise solution in May 1975, which, while preserving the formal integrity of the State, will give them a larger measure of autonomy

in domestic affairs under a separate constitution.

140. The main features of association are that each State is responsible for its own internal affairs, while HMG retain responsibility for the external affairs and defence of each territory. An Associated State may at any time decide to proceed to complete independence, either by a decision of its inhabitants expressed through a Referendum or by agreement between its Government and

HMG.

Grenada proceeded to independence by agreement in

1974.

ii) THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

141. Our policy towards the Dependent Territories is based on the United Nations Charter of 1945, which specifies that the interests of the inhabitants of nont self-governing territories should be paramount and requires the administering powers to promote their political, social and educational advancement to the point of self-government. It is our intention neither to delay independence for those territories which want it, nor to force it upon those which do not.

142. The constitutional status of all 17 of our

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remaining territories, as well as our policy of economic aid for them, is constantly under review with the overt all aim of encouraging, wherever possible, their parallel progress towards constitutional self-

determination and economic viability.

142. The form of progress which suits one territory

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