TNAG-0714-FCO40-910-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 197

CONFIDENTIAL

Dependent Territories

a) Those it is in the UKs interests to retain:-

i) British Antartic Territory(BAT)

ii) British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)

iii) Ascension Island

iv) St Helena (relay station)

No indigenous population.

Constitutional

development not an

option.

b) Those with independence in prospect:-

1) Solomon Islanda

ii) Tuvalu

L

7 July 1978

Scheduled for.

| October 1978

111)Gilbert Islands

iv)New Hebrides.

During 1979

During 1980

c) Those unable to sustain independence due to remoteness/

lack of population/ limited economies:-

1) Pitcairn

ii) Tristan da Cunha.

a) Those claimed by other powers. UK Government seeking to

negotiate settlements which will allow the maximum

degree of self-determination consistent with the

wishes of the inhabitants:-

1) Hong Kong

11) Gibraltar

}

Decolonisation not an option

iii) Falkland Islands and Dependencies.

iv) Belize.

e) Those reluctant to become independent but which may

respond to encouragement:

1) Bermuda.

Financially independent, so that

a financial settlement would notțin itself -provide →

necessary impetus. However offer of assistance by

British Missions as channel of communications for the

CONFIDENTIAL