TNAG-0595-FCO40-742-Principles-and-procedures-of-granting-independence-1977 — Page 13

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others heard shots. We soon located coup headquarters and began a dialogue, at first with unidentifiable voices, with those taking over.

We established that casualties were few and none of them British and that the captured British police officers, and subsequently the Chief Justice, were alive and well. Within an hour or so we obtained consular access and also advised the British weapons instructor to give himself up (in our presence) rather than wait for an armed posse. Hinton, in a consular capacity, called on the 'revolutionary council' and from then I maintained informal contact with Rene. I made it crystal clear from our first conversation that we had not recognised the now regime, but that we wished to maintain close informal contact for 'consular' reasons and that within those limitations I was available on the telephone.

8. The British policemen, the Chief Justice and their families were treated civilly and apart from a little roughing up of Somerville, the Acting Commissioner, when he was taken, they suffered no harm. On the whole they were sad rather than bitter. We assisted them as far as we were able and Rene conceded a number of benefits (eg he released the husbands to help with the packing), but he rejected all my efforts to secure a stay for a further 24 hours. Those expelled suffered no harassment or indignity at the airport, where we stayed in their company.

9.

Establishing a line of communication with London was less straight forward than with the coup-makers. The Americans first used their satellite on our behalf. Then we discerned the Khalidia offshore

a more risky line since the yacht is owned by Khashoggi, one of Mr Rene's betes noirs. Finally the RFA Dewdale put herself at my disposal. (I need hardly comment

on the absence of Noreen).

./10.

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