This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/05/chagossians-could-be-allowed-to-return-to-british-indian-ocean-territory
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Exiled Chagossians could be allowed to return home under limited resettlement | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Chagos Islands, one of the UK’s most remote overseas territories, could be opened up to tourism under plans allowing exiled islanders to return home, according to a Foreign Office report. | The Chagos Islands, one of the UK’s most remote overseas territories, could be opened up to tourism under plans allowing exiled islanders to return home, according to a Foreign Office report. |
| The consultation process on resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), launched this week, proposes allowing 1,500 Chagossians to live on the archipelago. | The consultation process on resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), launched this week, proposes allowing 1,500 Chagossians to live on the archipelago. |
| Britain forced the inhabitants off the islands in the early 1970s to make room for a US airbase that was built on the largest island, Diego Garcia. In exchange for the clearance, London received £5m off the cost of developing a joint US/UK missile programme. | Britain forced the inhabitants off the islands in the early 1970s to make room for a US airbase that was built on the largest island, Diego Garcia. In exchange for the clearance, London received £5m off the cost of developing a joint US/UK missile programme. |
| Chagossian exiles have fought a series of legal battles for the right to return, with critics describing the expulsions as one of the most shameful episodes in modern British colonial history. Many islanders now live near Crawley, West Sussex. | Chagossian exiles have fought a series of legal battles for the right to return, with critics describing the expulsions as one of the most shameful episodes in modern British colonial history. Many islanders now live near Crawley, West Sussex. |
| Ministers delayed making any decision on resettlement in March in order to gather more information, despite pledging to resolve the issue before the end of the last parliament. | Ministers delayed making any decision on resettlement in March in order to gather more information, despite pledging to resolve the issue before the end of the last parliament. |
| Related: Chagos islanders ask supreme court to overturn House of Lords decision | Related: Chagos islanders ask supreme court to overturn House of Lords decision |
| “Management of a limited tourist industry in the outer islands could be implemented on a trial basis initially and would require relevant training for those interested in such work,” the BIOT consultation paper suggests. | “Management of a limited tourist industry in the outer islands could be implemented on a trial basis initially and would require relevant training for those interested in such work,” the BIOT consultation paper suggests. |
| “This would be likely, at least initially, to involve supporting and guiding an increased level of yacht visits rather than permanent new infrastructure such as hotels.” | “This would be likely, at least initially, to involve supporting and guiding an increased level of yacht visits rather than permanent new infrastructure such as hotels.” |
| The proposal is one of several ideas in the document, which is aimed at assessing the demand among exiles to resettle and the costs to the British government. | The proposal is one of several ideas in the document, which is aimed at assessing the demand among exiles to resettle and the costs to the British government. |
| The Foreign and Commonwealth Office insists no decision on resettlement has yet been made. It has, instead, asked exiles and interested parties in Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles to take part in a consultation, which closes in October. | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office insists no decision on resettlement has yet been made. It has, instead, asked exiles and interested parties in Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles to take part in a consultation, which closes in October. |
| The department has indicated a decision might emerge by the end of 2015 or in early 2016. If islanders are allowed to return, then those of working age would likely be expected to secure a job. | The department has indicated a decision might emerge by the end of 2015 or in early 2016. If islanders are allowed to return, then those of working age would likely be expected to secure a job. |
| The report notes that jobs could be available at the US military facility, adding: “The UK government does not assess large-scale coconut production to be a viable industry in the territory.” No commercial flights would be permitted to land at Diego Garcia. | The report notes that jobs could be available at the US military facility, adding: “The UK government does not assess large-scale coconut production to be a viable industry in the territory.” No commercial flights would be permitted to land at Diego Garcia. |
| It adds: “A pilot settlement would most likely be offered on a one- to two-year temporary basis on Diego Garcia and evaluated over that period before any further potential expansion of population numbers. It is possible that a decision could be taken to end resettlement at this point if the pilot proved to be unsuccessful or economically unsustainable.” | It adds: “A pilot settlement would most likely be offered on a one- to two-year temporary basis on Diego Garcia and evaluated over that period before any further potential expansion of population numbers. It is possible that a decision could be taken to end resettlement at this point if the pilot proved to be unsuccessful or economically unsustainable.” |
| The UK Chagos Support Association said the consultation appears to indicate that a limited initial resettlement to Diego Garcia is the main option under consideration. | The UK Chagos Support Association said the consultation appears to indicate that a limited initial resettlement to Diego Garcia is the main option under consideration. |
| The association’s committee chairman, Stefan Donnelly, warned more questions needed to be asked about the increased costs estimated for the resettlement options. | The association’s committee chairman, Stefan Donnelly, warned more questions needed to be asked about the increased costs estimated for the resettlement options. |
| He said: “We will take time to assess the consultation documents and consult with Chagossian groups before issuing any response. | He said: “We will take time to assess the consultation documents and consult with Chagossian groups before issuing any response. |
| “We welcome, though, what we hope is a new willingness to engage directly with Chagossians and begin serious work to end almost half a century of senseless injustice. We will of course be happy to engage with and support such a process.” | “We welcome, though, what we hope is a new willingness to engage directly with Chagossians and begin serious work to end almost half a century of senseless injustice. We will of course be happy to engage with and support such a process.” |
| Related: Diego Garcia guards its secrets even as the truth on CIA torture emerges | Related: Diego Garcia guards its secrets even as the truth on CIA torture emerges |
| Foreign Office travel advice for the Chagos Islands states it is “not a tourist destination”. | Foreign Office travel advice for the Chagos Islands states it is “not a tourist destination”. |
| It adds: “Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and permits are only issued to yachts in safe passage. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility.” | It adds: “Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and permits are only issued to yachts in safe passage. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility.” |
| A Foreign Office spokesman said of the consultation: “We are continuing to clarify uncertainties around the likely demand for resettlement and associated costs and liabilities to the UK taxpayer in order to inform a decision on the way ahead. | A Foreign Office spokesman said of the consultation: “We are continuing to clarify uncertainties around the likely demand for resettlement and associated costs and liabilities to the UK taxpayer in order to inform a decision on the way ahead. |
| “That is why we have launched a consultation exercise with Chagossians and other interested parties to better gauge the likely demand for resettlement, as well as sharing updated information on the likely costs and alternative options not involving resettlement.” | “That is why we have launched a consultation exercise with Chagossians and other interested parties to better gauge the likely demand for resettlement, as well as sharing updated information on the likely costs and alternative options not involving resettlement.” |