TNAG-0595-FCO40-742-Principles-and-procedures-of-granting-independence-1977 — Page 42

RESTRICTED

system had lasted after independence, a very doubtful supposition, Seychelles is too small and too lacking in administrative talent to be able to afford two complete alternative governments.

(f) But, of course, refusal to hold fresh elections

if demanded by the SPUP would have caused us real difficulty, creating political tension threatening even the prospects for independence by the target date.

(g) Doubtless, Seychelles political life in the future will, like that of any other country, experience crises from time to

time; and even now it is doubtful whether the coalition can hold in the face of rising opposition from the younger members of both parties. But if it does, it seems likely that Seychelles will indeed evolve into a one-party state, as René believes it should. As such, it will represent yet another departure from British democratic practice such as we have seen in former African dependencies. On this occasion, however, we will have indirectly

fostered such a development rather than actually promoted Westminster democracy against the grain of the society with which we were dealing. If so, the foregoing account will, we hope, explain why this development was the least of the evils with which we, and Seychelles, were faced.

A C Stuart

PL O'Keeffe

Cc:

HONG KONG & INDIAN OCEAN DEPARTMENT

Mr Stanley Mr Ewans

EAD

June 1976

RESTRICTED

19-