TNAG-1461-FCO40-1987-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-Hong-Kong--Gibraltar-and-1986 — Page 80

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appears to be the most practical option, at least in the medium

term, with integration with the metropolitan territory of the UK

of these territories as a possible future option.

Practical Options

45. Of the several theoretical options considered in this paper perhaps 3 or 4 can be regarded as serious. These are:

a) independence for Bermuda, and the Caribbean dependent

territories.

b) Maintenance of the status quo for BAT, BIOT, South Georgia,

South Sandwich, St Helena and Ascension and Pitcairn (plus

Turks and Caicos, BVI, Anguilla and Tristan da Cunha in the

short term at least);

c) "protected status" (as described in paragraph 17) for

Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and BVI;

d) integration with the UK or third power (very much a

long-term option) for Tristan da Cunha (UK), Pitcairn (UK)

BVI (with US).

INTERNATIONAL AND COMMONWEALTH SECTION

RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

OCTOBER 1986.

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