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concept of opposing blocs. As evidence of this, they had made approaches to both sides for assistance; he made particular mention of Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad, Panama, Canada and the European Community.
12. Mr Ridley said that merely approaching every country for aid did not make Grenada non-aligned. It would be helpful if Grenada were to adopt a genuinely non-aligned position. A return to democracy would mean more development assistance; both could be priorities.
Mr Augustine disagreed; a Government could only stay in power if the burning needs of the people were recognised and attended to. Mr Ridley said that he could understand Mr Bishop's feelings on this score; but he would like to meet him in order to discuss the possibility of making progress towards a real non-aligned stance and democratic government. But some sign of willingness to move in this direction was needed. It was our objective to try to be helpful through frank discussion. If Mr Bishop were to move in the right direction so would we. We would certainly like to re-establish links with Grenada. We might also be able to unlock doors in Washington.
13. Mr Augustine said that he would discuss the possibility of a visit to the UK with his Prime Minister. Mr Ridley said that if London were not possible then it might be convenient for them to meet in the Caribbean.
14. Mr Ridley then referred to a number of incidents involving Mr Augustine and the Grenada High Commission. He wished to give his personal assurance that these had not been part of any deliberate policy of harrassment. Mr Augustine said that he had already received assurances on this score and that as far as he was concerned the matter was closed. Mr Ridley said that he understood we were giving some new aid to Grenada in the form of textbooks for the law library in Grenada. He was sorry to hear that there had been some difficulty over the Happy Hill School project. Mr Payne said that the ODA were considering the matter and had asked DevDiv in Bridgetown for a report.
15. Mr Ridley was pleased to note that Mr Whillock had now met Mr Bishop and other Ministers. He hoped that Mr Augustine might help persuade people in Grenada to keep in touch with Mr Whillock.
16. Mr Ridley then turned to the progress towards independence of the remaining dependent territories. He pointed out that we would prefer to have no remaining colonial relationships. But not all the islands wanted it that way. Barbuda for example wanted to remain a colony. The UN Decolonisation Committee had even urged us recently not to give independence to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr Augustine said that Grenada's attitude was one of respect for the rights of all sovereign nations. But in practical terms it had to be admitted that the islands were all highly susceptible to outside forces, some of which the UK would probably not want to see gain influence in the area, eg the Mafia. He personally would welcome some initiative towards regional unity. The Federation had not been the complete answer.
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Mr Ridley asked whether it would be possible for the UK to assist in such an initiative without being misinterpreted. Mr Augustine thought that it would be possible for the European Community to lend support. Multilateral assistance, something like the Marshall Plan, was required. Perhaps a combination of the European Community with Canada and Venezuela, or Britain plus Canada and Venezuela, would be
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