TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 13

4.

~

from those in the 'strategic' possessions like BIOT and Ascension ( ? an

St Helena), to the remote Pacific territories where not even the inter-

ests of our old Imperial friends, Australia and New Zealand (a strong traditional factor in our policies there) seem to be any longer/concern.

And lastly there are those which have a sufficient local population and

resources to sustain at least some sort of local administration (such

as the W. Indian Associated States and Bermuda and the main Pacific

territories), and those where this is plainly not so.

It would seem to me therefore plainly difficult to disagree with

Mr Cortazzi's view (in the attached minutes) that, from almost every

point of view, the future of these S.D's must be decided on in each case

separately and in accordance with its circumstances.

(d).

Looked at on that basis, and indeed in itself, the problem of the

ultimate disposition of these S.D's may prove smaller than seems at

first sight. If we assume, as is apparently justified, that the 4 main

Pacific dependencies will proceed to independence within the next 3 Fears

and if we remove from immediate consideration (as seems necessary) those

territories which are subject to international dispute and can only be

dealt with by appropriate negotiation, and if we further set aside for

appropriate treatment those 'strategic' dependencies in which we intend

or wish to retain a positive interest or control, we are, it seems,

it seems, really for present decision left/only with the rump of the old Caribbean problem in the form of the

5 Associated States (one of which, St. Vincent, promises, I believe, to

advance successfully to independence by 1980) and the 5 other smaller

island territories of which Bermuda, by reason both of its geographical

position and relatively large population, is somewhat special, and the

other four (Turks & Caicos, Caymans, B. V.I. and Montserrat) are small

in population (between 7000 and 13,000 in each) and are situated in an

association' area and circumstances where some sort of

or regional solution

seems to be dictated almost by circumstances, (and, I would have thought, be recommended by history, too).