TNAG-0595-FCO40-742-Principles-and-procedures-of-granting-independence-1977 — Page 23

Mr Larmour

SEYCHELLES INDEPENDENCE

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1. I attach a Note containing the recollections and reflections of Mr Stuart and myself on the subject of the Seychelles Independence process. Mr Stuart was responsible for paragraphs 1-9 and I for paragraphs 10-25. Paragraph 26 containing some

conclusions is a joint effort, although Mr Stuart has not seen

the final version.

2.

I do not know if this account does help you, and other departments in the Division, to chart a way forward towards independence for other dependent territories. The only general observation I can make, and not a very original one at that, is that each territory is very much sui generis and the successful mounting of an independence operation depends a great deal on a careful examination of all the political factors, interior and exterior, involved. Aid, in however great quantities, (and it would be unrealistic to expect much) is not an answer by itself but can help overcome some of the fears some territories may have over loosening their ties with the United Kingdom. And it is necessary to avoid starting from the assumption that a Westminster system of Parliamentary Government is (a) practical or (b) necessarily desirable for a newly emergent state. In an ideal world this would be so, but alas this is not an ideal world and it has always to be remembered that, for the population of most dependent territories, a benevolent autocracy such as we have traditionally exercised over them, is the form of government with which they are most familiar. Parliamentary Government is a radical departure from this norm and it is not to be expected to develop deep roots in the former dependent territories except over a very long period of time (if ever).

August 1976

for D. F. Millon

PL O'Keeffe

Hong Kong Department

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