TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

TUVALU

TURKS AND CAICOS

ISLANDS

Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence

Legal and constitutional separation from the Gilbert & Ellice Islnds volony on 1 October 1975: full administrative Separation on 1 January 1976. Ministerial Constitution. The Chief Minister desires independence by late 1977 but some time in 1978 is though to be more realistic, after elections and an Independerce Conference.

Ministerial Constitution introduced after elections in September 1976. No local pressures for independence.

Considerations affecting Aic) Policy

Grant-aided

Grant-aided. Unlikely to become economically viable within the forseeable future.

GGD. Ducuman 76.

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CONFIDENTIAL