TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 24

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self-supporting.

Others may be brought to this position by such

a programme. As already noted complete self-reliance is not a

pre-requisite of independence.

;

But greater economic

self-reliance than exists at present, for example in TCI and

Montserrat, almost certainly is.

Political and Constitutional Factors

28 Unless specific steps are taken to make independence seem

more attractive than the status quo, attachment to dependent

status could persist indefinitely. The economic measures

outlined in the previous section would help to place the islands on a more self reliant footing. But in isolation they might

simply serve to perpetuate HMG's role as financial prop. A

programme of education accustoming and fitting the population at large and future leaders in particular to the prospect of

independence would be important. Without this, HMG is unlikely

ever to create sufficient room for manoeuvre for itself to set

dates for independence.

29 Such a programme might include:

i)

ii)

More vigorous efforts at identifying and cultivating

potential future leaders (political, commercial, civil

service etc).

The establishment of a programme of political and administrative training for a selection of current, and potential, leaders. This might be done partly in the UK and partly in situ.

iii) A programme of public education designed to highlight the

degree of economic interdependence between the Caribbean

dependencies, the US and other states in the area.

iv) A more concerted drive (through better policing etc) to

prevent corrupt practices before they take root.

30 In addition some constitutional change would become

necessary in the years before independence so as gradually to transfer powers from the Governor's office to the locally elected government. This would be particularly necessary in those territories with relatively backward constitutions such as the

Caymans

-

a comparative analysis of the constitutions in question

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