TNAG-0835-FCO40-1043-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Office-seminar-on-the-future-of-Bri-1979 — Page 35

Session 4: Lessons to be learned from other colonial powers.

Dr. Robinson outlined the French, US and Dutch experience.

The French

With their long process of advance towards integration, full citizenship and vast expenditure the French model

seemed to have no lessons for us.

The U.S.

Apart from the Philippines, not typical, the US experience was by and large in step with their westward expansion: incorporation; interim representation in Congress and statehood. Policy towards Puerto Rico, whose achievement

of statehood seemed not to be favoured by the US authorities,

and the SVI have both evolved over 60 years of conflicting

Congressional pressures.

Situation not comparable with the British one and no

useful lesson.

The Dutch

The most innovatory of the 3. Original policy of combining internal self-Government with "Kingdom" matters reserved to the metropolitan power had broken down on Suriname's independence. If no agreement by 1981 for all Netherlands Antilles

to go independent together, independence likely to be offered to separate groups of islands. Experience not really helpful to us but ironic that, after taking a different route and with a very different philosophy, the Netherlands may end up with a similar dilemma to ours.

In discussion it was thought unrealistic to expect progress through trying to involve the EEC in sharing administration responsibilities for our remaining d.t's although pressures stemming from the Common Market could just possibly result in Guadelope and Martinique seeking independence.

Although there was no obvious relevance for us in these 3 countries colonial policies then could be useful lessons to be learned from their, and other metropolitan powers, economic

and administrative procedures.