TNAG-0832-FCO40-1040-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1979 — Page 91

Mr Stratton

Mr McLaren

Jogue. M.

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RECEIVED I REGISTRY CO. S 2 4 APR 1979

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PAPERS FOR INCOMING MINISTERS

1. Under Item 53, British Policy towards other Dependent Territories, I suggest the following passage:

"In the Pacific, apart from Pitcairn Island (population 61), the only remaining British dependency is the Gilbert Islands (population 60,000), which is due for independence under the name of Kiribati (pronounced Kiribass) on 12 July 1979. For this . purpose, high priority will need to be given to obtaining parliamentary approval for the independence bill. The inclusion of Ocean Island (Banaba) in the territory is controversial.

We and the French are partners in the condominium of the New Hebrides (population 100,000), which we plan to bring to independence in 1980."

10 April 1979.

Fro Snodgrass

JM O Snodgrass

South Pacific Department