Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

281. Memorandum From Michael Armacost of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)¹

Washington, January 31, 1978

SUBJECT

• Disputed Claims to South Pacific Islands

Last fall we notified the UK of our willingness to renounce U.S. territorial claims to 15 small islands in the Pacific—in the Phoenix (Gilberts), Line, and Tuvalu groups—in exchange for the UK’s recognition of exclusive U.S. sovereignty over Canton, Enderbury, and Hull—islands in the Phoenix Group in which we have missile tracking facilities.² (C)

The UK rejected this proposal, and in follow-up discussions made it clear that its rejection was definitive and categorical. They also urged us to come to some early understanding with respect to our claims to the Gilbert Islands since they are slated to obtain independence from the UK later this year. If rival territorial claims remain unresolved when the Gilberts achieve their independence, we may well find ourselves denounced as encroaching on a new nation’s territory and sovereignties. (C)

The Inter-agency Group believes the time has come, therefore, to consider alternative approaches. Specifically, it wishes authority to discuss with the British and with representatives of the Gilbert Islands:

—A joint US-Gilbert administration of Canton, Enderbury, and Hull without prejudice to our territorial claims to those islands; (C)

—An exclusive use agreement to cover these three islands to replace our current ten-year exclusive use agreement with the UK (for which we pay $240,000 and which will expire on September 20, 1978). We should expect some increase in the rental fee in a new agreement. (C)

State and Defense both have indicated their desire to pursue this approach. (C)

RECOMMENDATION:

That you authorize me to convey to the Inter-agency Group NSC approval to discuss such an arrangement with the UK and Gilbertese representatives, provided soundings on the Hill indicate the approach would be acceptable to Congress.³

1. Source: Department of State, Official Correspondence of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, 1969–1988, Lot 89D265, [unfoldered material]. Confidential. Sent for action. Concurred in by Robert Hunter.
2. Holbrooke, while in London October 26–27, 1977, met with Foreign Office Deputy Under Secretary Hugh Cortazzi and discussed U.S. territorial claims to the Pacific Islands. (Telegram 17853 from London, October 28, 1977; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770398–0012)
3. Brzezinski checked the approve option.