TNAG-2118-FCO40-3024-Future-of-Hong-Kong-general-1990 — Page 126

CODE 18-77

Reference

HKC040/4

11 APR 1990

RECEIVI

Mr Waterton WAD

DESK OFFK

INDEX

UK DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1.

¡Y

Ms Hay lock.

Eater

TRY

Taken

to

papers maked we need a you. contribution on Itk.

fm.2072

Thank you for your minuțe enclosing the fax from our Ambassador in Brazzaville.

2. I attach a copy of Mr Eggar's statement of 16 December 1987 on our policy towards Bermuda and the Caribbean DT's. The principles he outlined are, broadly speaking, applicable to St Helena and its Dependencies too. We used the following form of words to cover the position of the DTS for which WIAD is responsible in reply to an MP's letter in May last year:-

3.

"Our review in 1987 of policy towards the Caribbean Dependent Territories and Bermuda concluded that for the foreseeable future we should continue to accept and effectively to discharge our obligations under the UN Charter for the good administration and social and economic development of these Territories. We are prepared to consider the granting of independence in cases where it is practicable to do so and where independence is the clearly expressed wish of the inhabitants. However, we shall initiate no pressure towards this end. These principles are broadly applicable to those other Territories where the UK has unqualified freedom to take decisions about their constitutional future."

However, I am copying this minute along with the papers you sent me to UND, because I note the reference to the UN's campaign for the decolonisation of the remaining colonies prior to 2000. UND may wish to take on the coordination role in this exercise, particularly if they have received other similar enquiries.

P January

West Indian & Atlantic Department WH MZ 36

270 2631

19 January 1990

CC:

Mr Holland, UND (with copy

Mr Kirk, SED

Ms Callagher, FID

Ms Walsh, SPD Ms Major, HKD

of

Mr Waterton's muute)