Commonwealth -1

[InsaneApache]

The French might like to take advantage of this after Rwanda defected. :sweatdrop:


The Mauritius president has threatened to leave the Commonwealth in protest at the UK's "barbarous" treatment of the people of the Chagos Islands.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth says he may take the UK to the International Court of Justice over the islanders' plight.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6425675.stm

I agree. This whole episode, more than any other, makes me feel ashamed to be English. I understand the geo-politick of the cold war era that spawned this forced removal but the cold war has effectively been over for two decades. It's time that the UK government did the right thing to these islanders.

Anyone else remember the ethical foreign policy touted about ten years ago? I wonder where that 'initiative' went? :inquisitive:

[English assassin]

In 2000, the courts ruled that Chagossians could return to their homes in 65 of the islands, but not to Diego Garcia. Then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said the government would not appeal.
But in 2004 the government used the royal prerogative, powers that allow action without reference to Parliament, to effectively nullify the decision.

But last year the High Court overturned the order and rejected government argument that the royal prerogative, exercised by ministers in the Queen's name, was immune from scrutiny.
The government's behaviour towards the Chagossians was described as "repugnant".
Sir Sydney Kentridge QC said then that there was no known precedent "for the lawful use of prerogative powers to remove or exclude an entire population of British subjects from their homes and place of birth".

See? See? Lawyers and judges are GOOD.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

No, just better than Devils.

I agree, the Americans don't need that base.

[Louis VI the Fat]

The French might like to take advantage of this after Rwanda defected. :sweatdrop: I assume you now expect me to post a link to how we are swiftly moving in?

I can't. Because, we are already fully entrenched in Mauritius.

It joined the Francophony already in 1970, when the UK wasn't paying attention. I mean, the place was literally up for grabs after it gained indepence from the UK. ~;)

I say our constant meddling and stirring behind the scenes is starting to pay off at last. Wave goodbye to 'your' Indian ocean, Britain. Soon, the UK and America will have to come grovelling in Paris if they need airbases in the Indian Ocean.

[KukriKhan]

No, just better than Devils.

I agree, the Americans don't need that base.

I dunno about that. We're pretty active (http://www.dg.navy.mil/web/) there at the moment. If I've read correctly, 2016 is the agreed-upon date after which either party (US & UK) can opt out of the gentlemen's agreement to use Diego Garcia as a military base.

In the meantime, it sounds like the displaced native population wants in sooner. Don't I remember something about the UK Crown having 'bought' the island from a private owner? IIRC, does that purchase throw another shoe into the works?

Finally, assuming the US is shown the door in 2016, what about all the hardware and ports/airfield improvements made by our Navy? Should we just leave it, or strip the place?

[Papewaio]

I would say that the US should like anyone who borrows something return it in equal or better condition.


Now the government has taken the case to the Court of Appeal, saying it prevents legislation relating to security and seriously affects the legal relationship with overseas territories.

Surely the people who get displaced get a slice of the cake of revenue generated from the good faith achieved by them being kicked out of their ancestoral domain?

So where is there rental income from the US or the royalties on the trade benefits generated from the UK-US relationship?

[InsaneApache]

I don't think we charge 'em rent. IIRC it has summat to do with destroyers in WWII....or somesuchlike.

[KukriKhan]

I would say that the US should like anyone who borrows something return it in equal or better condition.

No argument there. After a bit of arguing and yelling, we eventually did just that for Eniwitok & its displaced natives.




Surely the people who get displaced get a slice of the cake of revenue generated from the good faith achieved by them being kicked out of their ancestoral domain?

I support that wholeheartedly, once "ownership" gets untangled.


So where is there rental income from the US or the royalties on the trade benefits generated from the UK-US relationship?

Yeah. Early 70's was a whole different world, eh? We should have offered US coin, above-board, as rent.

[Hosakawa Tito]

The article says the US leased this, but doesn't describe the arraignment any further. Was the payment in money, material goods, military equipment???? Who was the recipient of the lease payments, sure doesn't sound like the islanders.

Seeing they are UK citizens, some civic minded UK lawyers should be filing lawsuits against the UK government on the islanders' behalf. If the UK benefitted from this lease, then they should be required to compensate these displaced people. Upon leaving the US should leave the improved facilities in place.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I dunno about that. We're pretty active (http://www.dg.navy.mil/web/)there at the moment. If I've read correctly, 2016 is the agreed-upon date after which either party (US & UK) can opt out of the gentlemen's agreement to use Diego Garcia as a military base.

Yay, so we get to be bastards for another 9 years. It doesn't make it right and you don't need Diego Garcia.


In the meantime, it sounds like the displaced native population wants in sooner. Don't I remember something about the UK Crown having 'bought' the island from a private owner? IIRC, does that purchase throw another shoe into the works?

Finally, assuming the US is shown the door in 2016, what about all the hardware and ports/airfield improvements made by our Navy? Should we just leave it, or strip the place?

Will you take the waste with you as well, I'm sure the islanders will appreciate that.

Basically the Chagos Islanders want to go home.