CAB148-30-Defence and Oversea Policy Committee Meetings Relating to 1967 Disturbances-1967 — Page 241

4.

ALDABRA

(Previous Reference: OPD (66) 28th Meeting, Item 2)

The Committee had before them memoranda by the Secretary of State for Defence (OPD (67) 57) on the development of airfield facilities at Aldabra and by the Secretary of State for Education and Science (OPD(67) 58), on its

scientific implications.

THE DEFENCE SECRETARY said that a further survey of Aldabra and

discussions with the United States authorities about sharing the cost had

taken place on the lines previously agreed by the Committee. The facilities

planned at Aldabra could provide from 1971 onwards an extra staging post in

the Indian Ocean, a forward operating airfield for use if required for action

in Africa or the Persian Gulf and greater operational flexibility during the

period of disengagement and withdrawal from the Far East and the Middle East.

They would in particular provide an alternative way of reaching the

Persian Gulf and the Far East if the route through the member countries of

the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) were closed. In withdrawal from

the Far East, should the CENTO route be closed we should then be less dependent

in respect of the speed of our withdrawal on the goodwill of the United States

Government for facilities on the west-about route. As regards Africa, while

we had no wish to become involved in operations there we could not rule out

the possibility that we might feel compelled to take some action there at

a future date, e.g. in the evacuation of British nationals or in support

of United Nations action, or in the western Indian Ocean, for instance in

an extended blockade of Mozambique, for which facilities at Aldabra would

important. In all these circumstances the additional flexibility which

would be provided by the proposed facilities at Aldabra would be most valuable.

A further important consideration would be the assurance which such a decision

would give to our allies of our intention to maintain a continuing capability

for action in the Far East.

The total estimated cost of providing facilities was of the order of

£27-28 million to which £2 million should be added to cover the cost of

additional facilities at Lscension Island. The United States Government,

who were expecting us to develop Aldabra, were likely, subject to further

negotiations, to be prepared to cover half the cost at Aldabra and had already

made provision for a contribution in their budget for the financial year 1968. The total cost to us was therefore likely to be up to £16 million;

having regard to the expected United States contribution in dollars there

should be a net gain in foreign exchange.

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