CONFIDENTIAL and PERSONAL
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basis that if the need for facilities on the islands disappeared, the Chagos Archipelago would return to Mauritius. An assurance to this effect was given orally to the Mauritian Prime Minister in 1965. With our consent, it was made public in the Mauritius Legislative Assembly in 1965.
Later it
was agreed to allow the Mauritians sole fishing rights
in the area.
3. The framework of Anglo/US defence collaboration in
BIOT was set out in three bilateral Agreements
concluded in 1966, 1972 and 1976.
4.
The circumstances of BIOT's origin (detachment from a dependent territory and the removal of its population, an undetermined number of whom had been born on the island and spent much or most of their lives there) remain controversial matters. The Opposition Party in Mauritius have made it part of their programme to secure the return of Chagos to Mauritius. A further complication is the increasing pressure in Third World and non-aligned' fora for the Indian Ocean Peace Zone proposal. In our own consideration of the long term future of Chagos, our guarantee to the Mauritians on reversion is a
factor to be considered.
5.
Following the UK withdrawal of a permanent military presence East of Suez, decided in 1974 and completed in 1976/7, our own forces make only very occasional use of the facilities at Diego Garcia. The US and USSR are engaged on bilateral discussions about a possible arms limitation agreement in the
Indian Ocean. But the US have so far shown no
disposition in the course of these discussions to relinquish their defence facilities in BIOT.
CONFIDENOTAT, and PERSONA T.
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9. c
and d
EXEMPTION No 27 a
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