TNAG-0597-FCO40-744-Future-of-Dependent-Territories-territorial-studies-1977 — Page 108

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GILBERT ISLANDS

HONG KONG

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MONTSERRAT

NEW BRIDES

CONFIDENTIAL

Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence

Ministerial Constitution introduced 1974. Internal self government 1 January 1977. Inderendence Conference in 77 aiming at independence in mid 1978.

Ne constitutional progress is possible and · independence is not an option.

Advanced Ministerial Constitution in force since 1960. The recple show no desire for independence and a Visiting Ussion was assured that they were happy as they were. Their membership of CARICCM and of the Associated State Council of Ministers may spur them by example.

Anglo-

J3.4/7/7

Anglo-French Condominium. Constitutional development had been at a standstill, until Anglo/rench agreement in November 1974 to estoish a Representative Assembly, with wide responsibilities, elected by universal suffrage 3lections hold in November 1975. At inaugura meeting of Assembly in June 1976 joint minister 1 statement publicly affimed cur rolicy of self-determination. French Ministerial meeting in October 1976 privately agreed that independence was our joint uim.

It was announced that in 1977 the Representative Assembly should elect it own President and that the Assembly Committees should be increasinly involved in the work of the joint administration, thus bring the way to internal cole-government (primately exrooted in about 3 years time).

Considerations affecting

Policy

Not grant-aredAid policy will have be reviewed in context of independence and eventual end of phosphate

revenues.

Economically viable: no aid questions arise. Individual territorial study not required

Grant-aided. Unlikely to become economically viable unless in association with others

Grant-aided: little likelihood of becoming economically viable.