Office of the Historian

83. Telegram 1110 From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1 2

London, January 23, 1975, 1938Z.

Subject:

  • British Plans for Gan Island

Ref:

  • New Delhi 0906 (NOTAL)

1. From discussions at the FCO we can confirm that British are very much concerned Gan Island not become available to another power with interests possibly inimical to the West when British give up their air facility there. British plan is to try to retain their lien until 1986 as agreement with Maldives provides. If Maldivians press for return of island, however (per para 3 reftel), British hope to negotiate some sort of understanding that airstrip will not be leased out to another country. They are reasonably sure they will be successful.

2. All British told Maldivian PriMin Zaki during his recent visit to UK was that they plan to remove their presence from Gan by March 1976. They also intimated some financial assistance would be forthcoming to make up for lost revenue to Maldivian economy as a result of British departure.

3. Ministry of Defense is at present staffing out exact departure timetable. Ministry of Overseas Development is staffing out an offer of assistance. We had been told this would amount to 3–4 million pounds spaced over period of 5–6 years, though latest word is sum more like 2–3 million. Aim would be to give it in form of additional pledges for project assistance through Asian Development Bank, hoping this might stimulate contributions from others who have at times expressed willingness, such as Australia, New Zealand, and US. British expect to send a study group to Maldives to look into potential projects for such assistance by end of March. None of this thinking has yet been communicated to Maldivians, Asian Development Bank, or indeed to HMG Ministers for approval. Addressees please protect.

4. FYI. British gained a very good impression of Zaki and other official Maldivians during their visit here. They consider Zaki a canny fellow who keeps his cards close to his vest, but also a practical man who should not give trouble.

Spiers
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 84, Colombo Embassy Files: Lot 79 F 134, DEF 15, Diego Garcia. Confidential. It was repeated to Colombo, Bombay, Dhaka, Karachi, Islamabad, Madras, New Delhi, Singapore, and Tehran.↩
  2. The Embassy reported British concerns regarding the fate of the air facility on Gan island.↩