TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 147

R+R.

何に

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

RAC Byatt Esq

нка

Telephone 01-

HKG 025/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 -9 FEB 1978

Your reference

Our reference

UNPO21/2

UKMIS NEW YORK

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PA

REGISTATY Action Taken

Date

9 February 1978

26

HKG 025/3

1977

Dear Robni,

REVIEW OF POLICY TOWARDS SMALLER TERRITORIES

1. In his letter of 16 December, 1977, the Ambassador asked about the cutcome of the review of policy towards our own smaller territories, apout which he wrote to Harry Staniey on 10 May,

1977.

2.

Hong Kong and General Department tell me that a review of our policy on decolonisation is under way but is not expected to be completed for a Lonth or two. However, this review is not intended to be a major work and will not involve any completely new policy; it is simply an examination of where we have got to since the then Secretary of State laid down our existing policy in his despatch of 13 June, 1975 (copy enclosed) and of whether there is any way of encouraging reluctant dependent territories to move towards independence.

3. Once the review of the present policy on decolonisation is complete, Hong Kong and General Department intend to revert to the problem of what to do about those territories which, for various reasons, wish to remain dependent. They have promised to bear our (and your) interests in mind.

and Ein

yours

Michael

MKO Simpson-Orlebar

cc JS Jasper Esq

HK & G Dept.

CONFIDENTIAL