TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 154

CODE 18-77

Mr Bridgwood HK & GD

POLICY TOWARDS THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1

Your circular minute of 11 June.

Reference

W(3Z

R&R with anc muinte

Ws

7K+5/6

2 We only have one comment on the draft of the final version attached to your minute but we think it is an important one. Mr Strong (Governor Turks and Caicos Islands) drew attention to the absence of a reference in para 4 of the paper to any limit to the timetable for a run-up to independence.

Like Mr Strong,

we consider that mention should be made of a specific limit. If the para is left vague as at present drafted, we shall be in very hot water with the Turks and Caicos Government and the UN Committee of 24 since, with Mr Ridley's approval, we have told them both that our general policy is to limit the run-up period to 12-18 months. I recognise that we did so for mainly tactical reasons; but the fact remains that the statement has been made.

3

I therefore recommend that the second sentence of should be expanded to read:

para 4

"There can be no standard timetable for this: the pace will largely be dictated by local circumstances: but the period during which a territory's government would exercise a greater degree of constitutional responsibility in the run-up to independence will not normally exceed 12 months.

And a

"

I hope that use of the word "normally" would provide the necessary flexibility for other cases that may arise. reference to "12 months" would enable us to demonstrate that, by allowing 18 months, we were erring if anything on the generous side in the case of the Turks and Caicos.

17 June 1980

cc Mr Kydd, MCD

Mr Keith,SED

Mr Davies SAMD

B T Holmes

West Indian and Atlantic Department G122/3 233 4180

CONFIDENTIAL