UK prepared to back independence for Caribbean territories

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

LONDON, England: British officials say they are prepared to encourage any one of its colonies that chooses independence. The officials recently told the UN Fourth Committee on Decolonisation that all of its Caribbean territories have the option to choose independence, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle. But they added that they saw no country that was willing to choose that route.

The Overseas Territories Council a gathering of Chief Ministers and possibly governors takes place shortly in London. This December session "will provide an opportunity to discuss further the constitutional and wider relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories which is based on the fundamental principles of self-determination, mutual obligations, freedom for the Territories to run their own affairs to the greatest possible extent and a commitment by the UK to assist in times of crisis," a statement said.

British officials were quoted as saying the key "will be to try and reconcile their desire for ever greater autonomy and self-government with the UK's responsibility to ensure good governance, to protect the impartiality of the public service and the independence of the judiciary and ensure compliance with relevant international obligations." 

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