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ANNEX III.

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Extract from minute written by Governor of Trinidad on the 3rd February and read out at the meeting at 11 a.m on the 10th February, as representing the views of the

Trinidad Government.

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We recognise the vital importance of the new relation established between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government by the leasing to the United States Government of sites for naval, military and air bases in the territories we represent, and are determined to do all in our power to make it a success. Any representations we may have made or modifications we may have suggested in relation to the areas originally asked for by the Greenslade Mission were actuated by our desire that nothing should be agreed to under the stress of war conditions which would not stand the test of one hundred years of peace, and it is in the same spirit, now that the sites have been decided upon, that we approach the question of the terms and conditions upon which the leases should be granted.

We fully accept that the United States Government must be left in no doubt that the bases are adequately protected. We accept also that it may be necessary in the case of some of these territories for further facilities to be granted to the United States Government in time of war with the same object. Time has not permitted of a full examination of the situation being made in each case and we fell strongly that should bo done imediately by a Joint Naval Military and Air Commission to be appointed by His Majesty's Government and the United States Government to visit each site in turn and report with the least possible delay. The terms of reference of the Joint

Its Commission should be negotiated here and now. appointment would involve no delay in carrying out the work on the bases themselves: the sites have been agreed to, and the necessary conditions to govern the construction period can and should be negotiated here and now.

We also accept fully that the United States Government must be given security of tenure in the bases with the least possible delay, and that the necessary form of lease to unsure this must be negotiated here and now, but we wish to point out that the detailed description of the boundaries of the sites, including tho definition of the adjoining water areas, can only be negotiated on the spot in the light of the report of the Joint Commission referred to above.

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