Clik here to view.
Your excellent report (A land neglected and decaying, but it's still our home, 20 May) focused more on the problems than the solution to the vexed issues of the Chagos Islands. The purpose of the Chagos conference on 19 May was to explore with Chagossians, NGOs and other interested parties a way forward. The proposal being considered was for a research station for visiting scientists to be staffed by Chagossians living in an eco-village. The Foreign Office says it opposes resettlement on grounds of feasibility and defence security. But despite many parliamentary requests, it has not said what security threat Chagossians living on islands 140 miles from the US base on Diego Garcia would pose. The US remains silent. The FCO feasibility argument is based on a discredited 2002 study. A few hardline environmentalists think only scientists should be allowed to visit the islands, despite the presence of 4,000 personnel on Diego Garcia. But many scientists believe human habitation, if carefully controlled, would not damage the environment and that Chagossians would make ideal custodians of their islands.
The foreign secretary has said he is working for a just and fair settlement. This proposal offers an imaginative way out of the current logjam. But it would require the involvement of all parties – Mauritius, the US, Chagossian groups, conservationists and parliament. It could be the first step to an overall solution of the issues, not least the future of the designated marine protected area. Mr Hague should establish an FCO department dedicated to bringing this about. Currently one full-time and two part-time officials are responsible for these issues.
David Snoxell
Co-ordinator, Chagos Islands all-party parliamentary group
