Chagos deal talks not only over finances

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius (AFP) — Resumed negotiations over a proposed deal to return the strategic Chagos Islands to Mauritius from Britain are not solely over financial compensation, the premier and a government official have said.

After decades of negotiations, Britain agreed in October to hand back the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, a former colony, on the condition that a United Kingdom-United States military base can remain on the largest, Diego Garcia.

But a new government took power in Mauritius last month and has reopened the talks, reportedly seeking greater financial compensation.

But Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said in a statement on Tuesday the talks were not only concerned with that aspect of the deal.

“It is also about sovereignty and the duration of the lease. The tenant must not become the owner of Diego Garcia either,” he said.

His office firmly denied figures reported in the British press, but did not give any further details.

A treasury official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press, rejected suggestions the talks had been resumed solely over financial compensation.

However, inflation needed to be accounted for, he said, a factor that had been overlooked in previous discussions. He did not give any further details.

“It is not just a question of money but of sovereignty,” he told Agence France-Presse, adding the duration of the lease of Diego Garcia was also important.