-2-
in Vila, the capital, possibly in July this year.
5. The four remaining Dependent Territories in the Caribbean,
Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands,
and Montserrat, have all achieved a considerable degree of
internal self-government.
In the latter two, there have been very
recent indications of an interest in moving towards full inde-
The other two Territories have shown no interest in
pendence.
independence.
(Anguilla, nominally part of the Associated State
of St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, has also been administered on the lines
of a dependency since 1967 see paragraph 8 below).
6. The 1977 riots in Bermuda, provoked by the execution of two
convicted murderers, were followed by a Royal Commission of Enquiry
chaired by Lord Pitt and a Constitutional Conference last February.
Agreement was reached on the way forward with one technical exception,
on which both political parties in Bermuda have now agreed to put
their case to the Secretary of State and to abide by his decision
which will need to be given soon.
7.
The 15th Dependent Territory is St Helena, and its Dependencies
of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, which has expressed no
interest in independence and could not sustain it.
8. All the remaining Associated States are seeking independence.
A decision will be needed soon on the St Vincent Government's demand
for immediate independence, which is opposed by the weak opposition
parties. St Kitts-Nevis could move to independence this year,
providing our proposals for 'devolution' satisfy the Nevisians who
are demanding secession. Anguilla would then revert to formal
Dependent Territory status. Antigua is unlikely to become
independent this year, having only recently embarked upon the
necessary constitutional procedures.
19.
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Private notes are available after approval.