TNAG-0603-FCO40-751-Capital-punishment-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 121

CONFIDENTIAL

security. This action has, however, led to threats by Turks

and Caicos Ministers to disrupt the government. In other colonies

have we got into a position in which we could not exercise the

sort of veto we used in the Turks and Caicos? I am not concerned

here with the last stage of internal self government before final

independence e.g. in the Solomon Islands because the period in

question is strictly limited. I think we should analyse the

position in our remaining territories and study the implications

for our policy of accelerated decolonisation.

3. In the case of Bermuda my inclination has been that we could

safely let things run their course and that it did not matter if

the green paper did not lead to early independence.

I think we

have to reconsider this. Should we now put it to Bermuda Ministers

that we cannot contemplate a repetition of last week's events and

that if they wish to retain the death penalty and their present

powers we must urge them to make speedy progress towards full

independence?

4. Perhaps we should have a meeting to discuss this in the light

of Departments analyses on the current position.

6 December 1977

PS/PUS

cc: Mr Stratton

Mr Duff

Mr Snodgrass

M2 RUSHFORD K188

CONFIDENTIAL

How Cortaz

HAH Cortazzi