TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 196

..In Confidence

DRAFT

To:-

CONFIDENTIAL

*

Type 1 +

From

Telephone No. Ext.

Department

REVIEW OF POLICY ON ACCELERATED DECOLONISATION

DSR11

I.We derive no benigit from our responsibilities for WIAS and

Dependent Territories. They are a net liability to us. We

provide a high level of aid in per caput terms and we risk

political embarrassment on defence expenditure

behalf. Trade and investment benifit to us is negligible.

2. Ministers

on their

inisfers last examined policy towards Dependent

Territories in early 1975. Their decision was that the policy

of the UK Governments to encourage those of our remaining

Dependendt Territories that are aapable of sustaining

independence to proceed towards their that goal at a pace that

•

accords with their interests and wishes.

3. The present position regarding independence for the WIAS

and Dependent Territories is:-

(List of WIAS and DTS attached at Flag A)

West Indies Associated States.

Independence date ·

Antigua

Dominica

No interest in complete independence. Unforeseeable

of 1978

Pressure for independence rising.

First half

St Kitta- Nevis- Anguilla

St Lucia

Probably before 1980

Further discussion likely in 1978.

Before end of

1978

St Vincent

Government committed to Independence Before end of

1980

by 1979

CONFIDENTIAL

Dependent/

Dd 108087 400M S&K 1/77