TNAG-0715-FCO40-911-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-4 — Page 61

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7. EAD are minuting separately about British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). to say that both BIOT and Ascension Island will be required for Anglo/US defence purposes for the foreseeable future As neither has an indigenous population the

questions of independence and defence guarantees would not appear to arise.

8.

I agree with you that the idea of a UN guarantee is not a starter. Except in the special circumstances of Korea there has never been an occasion when UN forces have been commited in a combat role to repel an invader. UN military operations have been limited to the provision of peacekeeping forces after a conflict has broken out involving Member States. But a defence guarantee involves one party (or parties) committing itself to come to the aid of others in certain specified circumstances. I cannot envisage circumstances in which members of the UN would be willing to guarantee British Territories against an unspecified post-independence threat of aggression which could only emanate from other members of the UN.

CC:

Miss Stoddart, WIAD

Mr Nason, PTD Mr Fullerton, SED

Mr Sindall, SAmD

Mr Joy, M&CD

Mr Rosling, EAD

(for information)

Mr Posnett

Mr Bone, Research Dept

Mr Barltrop, CCD

Planning Staff

24 October 1978

Bolin A. Menn.

CA Munro Defence Department

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