III
CONFIDENTIAL
receives only development aid which is set to continue at roughly 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 27(i) and (ii)) and building up the necessary infrastructure at a faster pace (para
27(iii)).
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 27(iv)). These economic measures might also be supplemented by the type of political measures described in para 29 i), ii) and iii) of the paper. Independence might be possible inside ten years. It is unlikely that any major change to the constitution will be required before then.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
General
Main Imports
Building materials, machinery, cars
and beverages
Total Imports (1982)
-
- $58m
Main Foreign Currency
Earners
-
Tourism, fresh fish, gravel, sand,
fruit, livestock
Total Foreign Currency
Earnings
Main Industries
- N/A
-
See above plus construction, rum
CONFIDENTIAT
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