TNAG-1218-FCO40-1523-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1983 — Page 85

RESTRICTED

5

17. The FCO has consistently paid close attention to the

views of the Islanders, expressed in various ways, but

principally through their elected representatives. There has

been talk of a plebiscite or referendum on their future. As the

Secretary of State has said, we have no objection to that

eventually. But there needs to be a time for settling down and

for restoring the damage done.

18.

Nationality

[Defensive, if pressed

The British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983 provides for the acquisition of British citizenship, and with it the right

of abode in the United Kingdom, by some 400 persons who would not

otherwise acquire it, though the Home Secretary announced in

April that no Falkland Islander would have any difficulty over

admission to the United Kingdom whether he had right of abode

&or not. I

19. Falkland Islands Dependencies

Although these are, for practical purposes, administered from Port Stanley, they form a quite separate dependent

territory; although in asserting their claim to it the Argentines

treat it as if it were part of the Falkland Islands.