TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 133

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a Cerpr ina! Confta

Accustomed to the

2

by exercise of responsibility for

But we shall not stand in the way of any territory

which wishes to move to independence however

Privately

doubtful we may be of its wisdom.

4.

K

We are always prepared to consider whether

there is any alternative to independence, other

than the present colonial relationship, that might

be appropriate for certain territories which do not

yet desire full independence. We shall judge each

case on its merits. But our preferred policy

objective is to afford our dependencies the simple

choice between independencepr continued dependency.

I acknowledge that there may be territories for

which in the last resort it may be necessary to

contemplate association or integration with the UK or

another country. But such "association" would not

follow the form of relationship provided for under

the 1967 West Indies Act, an arrangement that I

wouldnot wish to repeat.

5.

In furtherance of our general policy

we shall continue to do all that we can to create

conditions in which independence becomes practicable

and locally acceptable. In this context, we shall

continue the steady process of political education: where a territory has made a clear decision tomove

to independence we shall be considerate of the

need for locally elected Ministers to become

familiar with all aspects of the administration

we shall be of the country's government and/ready to consider

and/ready

constitutional changes which are the normal precursors

of full independence.

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