TNAG-1117-FCO40-1391-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 130

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CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

5. The past four years have seen a new emphasis on regional

There have been two meetings

co-operation in the Commonwealth.

(1978 and 1980) of Heads of Government of the Asia-Pacific region.

In the Caribbean Caricom already exists; and an organisation of

Eastern Caribbean States has recently been set up. In Africa

Foreign Ministers from Commonwealth countries met last year in

the margins of an Organisation of African Unity (OAU) meeting.

Britain's position in the Commonwealth

6.

The character of the Commonwealth has changed greatly over

the past 20 years or so. Its membership has increased, and the

system of Commonwealth trade preferences, which knit its members

together in economic self-interest, has been dismantled, mainly

as a result of British

accession to the European Communities.

it

:

1.

Changes in British nationality law (see Annex ) and in immigration

policy have reduced considerably the privileges formerly accorded

to Commonwealth citizens. Partly as a consequence of these changes

and partly as a result of deliberate policy on our part, Britain,

though remaining an important member of the Commonwealth, no longer

dominates its activities. This has been an inevitable transition.

The growth in the number of developing country Commonwealth members,

most of them members of the UN and many influenced by the rhetoric of the

Non-Aligned Movement, would have made it hard for us to have remained

at the centre of the Commonwealth, dominating its policies, even had we

wanted to.

7. But some members still see us as having a special position

in, and obligation towards, the Commonwealth and urge us to take a

more active part in its activities. The reasons for this include

historical associations, the Queen's position as Head of the

Commonwealth and the location of the Commonwealth Secrrtariat in

London.

Moreover, two important recent issues, Zimbabwe and Belize,

CONFIDENTIAL