TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 114

HOWO YOJ i

we may have to maintain the dependent relationship for

some time, either because this represents the wishes

of the population or for external reasons. This policy is

not without cost to the United Kingdom. As long as we

retain dependent territories, there is always the

danger that our responsibility for their affairs and

notably for their internal security may prejudice wider

British interests in the United Nations and elsewhere.

I repeat, nonetheless, that our policy is to respect the

wishes of the people in the territories concerned and we

shall not be deterred from accepting the need for

continued dependent status by the disadvantages for Britain.

that this may involve.

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7. It must be remembered, however, that I am answerable

to Parliament for the good government of our dependent

territories. Furthermore, the British Government is under

an obligation to submit annually to the United Nations

reports upon its stewardship; and we are now further

obliged to submit reports for each territory under

Article 40(1)(a) of the International Covenant on Civil

and Political Rights. It is thus idle consideration that

the British government needs, while the status of

dependency continues, to be in a position to discharge

its parliamentary and international obligations in

respect of each territory. Hence if a territory decides,

through ite-elected representatives, that it is not ready

en willing, at least for the time being, to proceed to

full independence, we shall need to review its

constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom.