Chagos Islanders have launched a last-ditch appeal to Donald Trump, urging him to block Labour’s £30billion deal to “surrender” their home to Mauritius.
The islanders’ First Minister Misley Mandarin has written directly to the US President, describing the arrangement as a “very bad deal” that threatens the strategically vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
The letter is expected to reach the White House this weekend, the Mail reports, just before a crucial parliamentary vote back in Britain on Monday.
Mr Mandarin argues the treaty negotiated by Keir Starmer’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell endangers a critical military asset in the Indian Ocean.
Chagossians might even name one of their islands after the President if he stops the giveaway
|
PA
Ministers maintain the agreement is necessary to resolve a long-standing sovereignty dispute and guarantee the base’s continued operation.
Mr Mandarin has suggested grateful Chagossians might even name one of the archipelago’s 60 islands after the President “to mark the moment America chose strength, fairness and long-term security over a short-term fix”.
In his direct appeal, he wrote: “President Trump, you have always been clear… You don’t accept deals that tie America’s hands. And you don’t accept arrangements that look fine on paper but collapse under pressure.”
The First Minister argues that halting the treaty would “shut the door on Chinese interference” whilst providing permanent legal certainty for US operations.
READ MORE ON THE CHAGOS ‘SURRENDER’ DEAL:
He also suggests a pause could enable Chagossians to eventually return to the islands they were forced to leave in the late 1960s.
The Government suffered four defeats in the Lords this week on the legislation required to implement the treaty.
Despite these setbacks, ministers are expected to make another attempt to pass the legislation when Parliament votes on Monday.
The proposed deal would see Britain hand Mauritius payments totalling approximately £30billion in exchange for a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia.
Chagos Islands: key facts
|
GB NEWSThe UK currently holds sovereignty over the island.
Critics argue the arrangement would permanently end any prospect of Chagossian people returning to their homeland – and open the door to Chinese interference over a key British asset.
“I am therefore asking you, Mr President, to do what you do best – call out a bad deal and stop it,” Mr Mandarin said.
GB News has approached the Foreign Office for comment.