Mauritian PM discusses Chagos islands with Bush
Tuesday 18 May 2004
In a meeting in Washington on Wednesday 11 May, Mauritian Prime Minister Paul Bérenger told United States President George W Bush that Mauritius will take action regarding the Chagos islands, if the British government refuses to discuss the sovereignty of the islands.
Mr Bérenger says he made it clear to Mr Bush that if British Prime Minister Tony Blair does not respond to an invitation to meet and discuss the matter, the Mauritian government will have to take diplomatic and legal action.
He
says Mauritius has a strong legal claim to the Chagos islands, but has tried to
elicit a "positive response" from Britain before going further.
Mr
Bérenger spoke to Mauritius’ Le Weekend newspaper on his way back from
the US.
The presence of the Diego Garcia base will not be contested, he said.
Mr
Bérenger said Mr Bush was “receptive” to the views of the Mauritian
government and “took a positive attitude to this whole issue”.
He also said he had a “good personal rapport” with Mr Bush, as well as with Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. He and Mr Bush are “on the same wavelength” on questions of terrorism, he said.
Other
matters discusses included ways to reinforce border control, particularly with
Comoros.
Source:
Week-End,
Mon 9 and Mon 16 May 2004
Related stories:
2 August 04 - Mauritius considers taking Chagos issue to the ICJ
28 July 04 - Commonwealth boss attacks Britain over Mauritius snub
27 June 04 - Mauritius considers leaving the Commonwealth