TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 190

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

They

025/1

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

TORTOLA,

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS,

HKG

P

025/1

1 8 MAR 1980

R J Stratton Esq CMG OFFICE.

FCO

INDEX

Dec. Dider

RECISTRY

ction Tukan

£13

POLICY TOWARD DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

14

M. Clight HES GD.

29 February 1980

1. I was very interested to read the memorandum on policy toward Dependent Territories referred to in your letter of 1 February. From the UK standpoint it makes a lot of sense. Just think how much simpler last year would have been for us if David Barwick had been our Attorney General. On the other hand, and to answer the specific question, it is not so easy to say how the policy would be received here. I think London are all too familiar with the BVI wish to have its cake and eat it;

in particular the BVI wish to go its own way on controversial issues such as capital punishment, offshore tax structure and so on. Moreover, I should be surprised if there were not a BVI bid to have a local man as Governor when I depart. On this, I would in the end expect the BVI to concede, albeit grudgingly. However, despite the present BVI wish to retain the present relationship with London much on its own terms, I can see two sets of circumstances which might perhaps hasten BVI movement toward independence. The first would be

7 serious difference of opinion with the United Kingdom on

a capital punishment issue. The second would be the offer by the United Kingdom of such a substantial independence aid package as to tempt the BVI Legislature toward 'constitutional break with London.

Yous

17/3

سبات

J A Davidson

Follow up letters to Mr. Davidson m "C. P. in B.V.JS" file (see 000) p.9. 1113

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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL