TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 117

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present levels for the rest of the decade. The present Chief Minister, John Osborne, is eager to take the territory to independence but is unlikely to be able to bring his colleagues or the country with him without further economic development. HMG could do more in support of this effort by intensifying the search for private sector funds (para 26(i) and (ii)) and building up the necessary infrastructure at a faster pace (para 26 (iii)). This will require an increased aid allocation.

[? Costs].

3. As and when greater economic strength is achieved, it seems likely that Montserrat politicians will come to regard political independence as the next logical step and will be better able to bring the population with them. One aspect of this would be to help develop regional links. Montserrat has much closer links in the region than any other Caribbean dependency. It is, for example, a member of the CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It has a long history of association with Antigua and, to a lesser extent, St Kitts-Nevis, both near neighbours and both independent. Within the constraints of dependent territory status, HMG could encourage such links as a way of attracting Montserrat politicians to the idea of independence (para 26(iv)). These economic measures might also be supplemented by the type of political measures described in para 28 i), ii) and iii) of the paper. Independence might be possible inside ten years [? Costs]. It is unlikely that any major change to the constitution will be required before then.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

General

Main Imports

Total Imports (1982)

Main Foreign Currency

Earners

Building materials, machinery, cars

and beverages

$58m

Tourism, fresh fish, gravel, sand,

fruit, livestock

Total Foreign Currency

Earnings (1982)

Main Industries

-

- [

}

See above plus construction, rum

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