TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 182

CONFIDENTIAL

Revaluation of Folicy

3. Th rpose of the present Paper is to evaluate the progr made in speeding up the process of decolonisation in the last two and a half years, and to suggest ways and means of encouraging the remaining colonies to achieve independence as soon as practicable.

4(a) Under the UN declaration (Article 1514) on independence for Colonial countries we have an obligation to find early and suitable routes to independence for our DTS, or, at least, some form of self-determination where full independence is not possible.

(b) We do not ourselves derive any benefit from the Colonies in economic terms and politically they are often a source of embarrassment. There are a few strategic advantages which will continue in the foreseeable future but these are not very considerable.

(c) HMG have no defence interests in the remaining DTs apart from Ascension Island, St Helena, Hong Kong and Gibraltar. These Territories in any case, are not likely to become independent so are not included in our present study.

(d) In the rest of the Territories we have defence responsibilities rather than interests and these commitments would not in all probability raise problems related to independence. The exceptions are the possible calls for the defence of Belize and the Falkland Islands.

(e) There is thus every reason for us to encourage and even to instigate independence moves in the DTs although it must be emphasized that we do not intend to ignore our moral responsibilities and would not take any action without concern for the interests and welfare of the peoples of the Territories (f) As proposed in Mr Callaghan's 1975 despatch, studies have been undertaken to define the political and economic objectives of individual Territories with a view to eventual independence:

(i) Studies Completed

(ii) Under Preparation

(iii) Consideration being given to

necessity for Studies on

(iv) Excluded from Study

Bermuda

Gilbert Islands

Solomon Islands Tuvalu

New Hebrides

Anguilla

British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands

Montserrat

Turks and Caicos Islands St Helena

Ascension

Pitcairn

Hong Kong Gibraltar

Falkland Is

WIAS

Belize.

C