TNAG-1003-FCO40-1240-Evacuation-of-UK-citizens-from-Dependent-Territories-militar-1981 — Page 19

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Indeed,

60 UK nationals on OSAS terms and 40 Royal Marines. SAmD do not

consider that there is a need to establish an evacuation plan.

as the Islanders are in scattered settlements, it would be difficult

for a plan to be comprehensive. Furthermore, embarrassment would

result if it became known that contingency planning was under consider-

ation and there would be accusations that we were preparing to abandon

the Islands to Argentina. It would be sufficient for MOD to be aware

(as they are) of the potential need for swift action and for the

Governor to be instructed to keep under review the best means of

assembling Islanders in an emergency.

6.

MCD are not aware of any contingency planning relating to Belize

which includes the evacuation of UK patrials. A need could arise if

the Guatemalans abandoned negotiations and opted for an attempt to

occupy Belize or part of it. The same objections mentioned in paragraph

2 above would certainly be valid for Belize. Despite this, the

department considers that there could be some value in a purely intel-

lectual exercise on paper to cover some of the ground in advance of

such a possibility. Such an exercise would need to have a very

restricted circulation.

7.

WIAD consider that there is no external threat to any of their

territories which might lead to a requirement to rescue or evacuate any

inhabitants. The need for internal security reinforcements could

arise in the Caribbean dependencies (including Anguilla) but there is

a Joint Theatre Plan No.61 which provides for any necessary assistance

from the Services if internal disorder develops. Before such an opera-

tion need be mounted, the Governor would have recourse to other help,

e.g. the services of the Regional Police Adviser, possible Police

reinforcements from other dependent territories in the area (though he

could not rely on these being supplied). He might also request Police

reinforcements from the UK. As long as the guardship is available,

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