TNAG-0834-FCO40-1042-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Office-seminar-on-the-future-of-Bri-1979 — Page 31

BERMUDA

Can be encouraged to take the last step along the traditional route to independence. Positive assistance may be needed to strengthen the Bermuda Regiment and police force to provide effective internal security post independence. Access to U.K. expertise and training opportunities after independence, at cost, is probably important.

ANGUILLA

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

MONTSERRAT

TURKS AND CAICOS

Potentially all can be pushed along the traditional route.

All can

become economically viable if revenue earning possibilities are fully explored and aid directed towards this end.

All require assistance with internal security which implies strengthening of regional training facilities and the continued availability of some contract or seconded expatriate personnel.

Active support of the region is required to ensure maintenance of effective services upon which tourism depends, fair fishing agreements and the opportunities for remittance income.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Independence could remove the rock upon which the off-shore banking economy is built and geographic position makes regional co-operation difficult unless there is a change of regime in Cuba. Continued dependence should be regarded as the likely option but not on the present status. There should be a programme of local discussions, perhaps using the constitutional convention device, leading up to a formal constitutional conference in London on the traditional independence pattern. The outcome would be a formal declaration of self-determination and adoption of a constitution leaving the U.K. with the power required to exercise the degree of responsibility formally handed over by the people of the Caymans.

U.K, services would be charged for at full cost to emphasise the 'adult' nature of the new dependence agreement and there would be a built in review mechanism perhaps on a five yearly basis so that independence always remained

an option.

-

The inevitable accusations of neo-colonialism etc. would require the presence and co-operation of regional/Commonwealth/U.N. observers at the talks.

ST. HELENA

A similar pattern to that proposed for the Caymans could be followed with the distinction that U.K. would have to bear the costs. The possibility of funding the costs might be considered to change the nature of dependence to

some extent.

An alternative would be integration without representation at Westminster but with a large measure of local autonomy. But this could only be considered after solutions have been found. for Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

Ascension and possibly Tristan da Cunha might require separate treatment.