TNAG-0597-FCO40-744-Future-of-Dependent-Territories-territorial-studies-1977 — Page 27

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TERRITORY

ANGUILLA

BELIZE

BERMULA

I

LIKELY DATE OF INDEPENDENCE

Unforeseeable

Difficult to

predict

Unforeseeable

Not applicable

BRITI

Not applicable

INDIA. CON

BRITISH VIRGIN

Unforeseeable

ILIDA

Unforeseeable

THALAND ISLANDS

& DEPENDENCIES

Unforeseeable

COMMENT

March 1976 – date of new Ministerial Constitu- tion. Will continue to be part of Associated State of St Kitts-Nevis- Anguilla until St Kitts- Nevis becomes independent.

1973 Constitution gave internal self-government. Obstacle to independence lies in Guatemala's claims to Belize, and negotiations continue to try to resolve the problem.

Green Paper on Independence was published in 1977 and public discussion in Bermuda continues. A "not yet" response is expected, and public opinion will be further tested in Summer of 1978.

There are no indigenous inhabitants and no con- stitutional development is possible.

No indigenous inhabitants and no constutional development is possible.

New Constitution for

enlarged Legislative Council was introduced in June 1977. There is desire to proceed to internal self-government and to

remain there indefinitely. There is no wish to move towards independence.

UN Committee of 24 "accepted" Report of UN Mission to Caymans in May 1977 which recognised Islanders' determination to remain a "Crown Colony"

The Governor is advised by an Executive Council and there is a Legislative Council. There is no demand for independence there are no political parties and all are united in desire to remain British.

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