TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 67

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17. Protected Status/Change in dependent status* Under this

option, which must be regarded as a long-term stategy, the

territories would become (or remain) self-governing but have safeguards with respect to their financial security, defence and

foreign relations. The UK, however, would not have total responsibility for ensuring these safeguards. With regard to financial security, it might be possible to arrange a 'supervision' and quota arrangement with the World Bank (membership of IBRD is open to governments of all countries and not limited to states).

Membership would have to be negotiated between HMG and the World

Bank prior to the ending of dependent status for the territories,

and the UK would undoubtedly have to offer some financial aid to the

World Bank by way of acknowledgement of the UK's responsibilities.

In return, territories would have available to them the guidance,

supervision and lending facilities of international institutions.

18. In terms of defence, the UK is unlikely to be able or willing to

enter into defence arrangements with any of its territories except with Bermuda (for reasons stated in para. 11 above) prior to the

ending of dependency status. However, possibilities may exist for

arrangements to be made on an international or regional basis, (such as the Regional Security System - RSS) although possibilities for

the former are frankly limited and without continuous external

funding the countries of the area would be unwilling to assume new

defence responsibilities. Chapter VII of the UN Charter

enables the Security Council to determine the existence of any

threat to the peace, and decide on measures to maintain or restore

international peace and security. Article 42 of the Charter which provides for military sanctions has never been invoked, but although

not specifically mentioned in the Charter, the UN has evolved a

technique of peacekeeping and forces have been established both by the General Assembly and the Security Council. However, only one

such force (United Nations Security Force (UNSF) has been sent to a non-independent country West Irian in 1962-3 whilst the territory

-

transferred from Dutch to Indonesian rule (para 25).

* The following draws heavily on suggestions put forward by J D

Bickford in his minute of 1 November 1984 to WIAD.

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