TNAG-1003-FCO40-1240-Evacuation-of-UK-citizens-from-Dependent-Territories-militar-1981 — Page 11

conference to consider the matter so that a decision could be

taken on the Inspectors' recommendation.

On

62. In discussion, the general view of Governors (with the

exception of Belize) was that it would not only be embarrassing

if it became known that an evacuation plan existed, but that

actual evacuation could exacerbate a particular situation.

the other hand, certain sections of a community might be

specially at risk and it was desirable that the question should

at least be kept under review. Were the present situation in

island dependencies to change, there was a case for Governors to be

ready with an outline plan, which should be communicated to the

FCO, for evacuation of UK nationals, e.g. on the aircraft bringing

in reinforcements. In the case of Belize where, unlike the other

Caribbean dependencies, there was an external threat, there was

an evacuation plan catering for certain persons only but not,

e.g. for TC, OSAS and commercial employees and families. There

was an obvious need, especially with the approach of independence,

for the plan to be expanded to include all UK nationals.

63.

The general conclusions reached by the conference were -

(i) that, apart from Belize, there was no real need at

present for evacuation planning, and

(ii)

that any revelation about the preparation of such plans

would be embarrassing. Nevertheless, the matter should

be kept under review so that if the situation in a

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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

/territory