TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 25

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CONFIDENTIAL

is given in Annex C. It is too early to say exactly what constitutional change will be necessary and when, but legal expertise will need to be introduced early into the decision making process. The aim will be to ensure that the powers given to local leaders never lag behind their ability to take more responsibility for their own affairs. Constitutions will thus need to be kept under regular review and possibly adjusted more than once in the lead up to independence. It would be preferable if this could be done by devices which avoid elaborate constitutional conferences on each occasion, though obviously the position of the local opposition will have to be taken into

account.

31 There can be no variation to the normal practice of reserving Foreign affairs, defence and internal security until independence has been attained (and there may have to be special provisions to ensure implementation of international obligations). This said, serious thought should be given in the run up to independence to finding ways of involving local

Ministers closely in the issues and the decisions taken. In this

way, they are more likely to feel bound by them subsequently.

32 The question remains of how to broach the issue of independence with the territories themselves. There are three broad options:

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to make no organised attempt to convince the territories of the benefits of independence but to give encouragement where this is likely to be well received;

to establish an independence timetable for each of the

territories; and to make it quite clear to the local

governments that we intend to stick to this regardless,

though trying to convince them that cooperation will be better than opposition;

to engage in an organised process of encouragement and

persuasion. Under this approach no territory would be forced into independence. But the aim of independence would

be spelt out clearly, the population educated for it and

cooperation sought by holding out the prospect of faster economic development linked to independence.

CONFIDENTIAL