Chagos islands - never heard of 'em ?

Brown Sauce · Joined: 07 Jan 2007

I'll bet that like me until yesterday, you've never heard of 'em, but you will have heard of Diego Garcia, the main island. Well for four decades, the people of the Chagos islands in the Indian Ocean have been living in exile, and in poverty.

They were evicted from their islands in the 1960s by the British government so the Americans could use the islands as a military base.

The islanders are now challenging the British government to let them return home.

'bout 30 mins. Will they get their happy ending ...

sometimes the beeb can be interesting.

til661 · Joined: 11 Feb 2007

There is also a documentary by John Pilger which can be viewed here

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-8820215719657331944

major.tom · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:42 am Post subject:

I've seen this Pilger documentary and was amazed. I'd heard of Diego Garcia, but didn't know the story at all. The American gov't, reluctant to give up its "forward operating base," says it's a matter between the residents and the British gov't.

It's the same faulty logic as holding people at Guantanamo is not covered by U.S. law, despite the fact that they are held exclusively under the control of the U.S. military.

Sad story, really. I hope they get their home back.

Salim201 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007

has this got anything to do with galloway? (just asking not being rhetorical!)

Mandy · Joined: 07 Feb 2007

Probably not much to do with GG .. other than he would undoubtedly support the displaced.

p.s. Since you mention Chagos :

http://worldpressnetwork.net/index.php/Diego_Garcia

Mandy · Joined: 07 Feb 2007

Clarification : There is an official Respect position/policy on this :

http://www.respectcoalition.org/2006/news.php?ite=1331

The Respect page above mentions the e-Petition on No. 10 Downing Street's web site:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DiegoGarcia/

"DIEGO GARCIA - A SHAMEFUL EPISODE IN BRITISH HISTORY"

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Give back the Chagos
IslandsTo their original inhabitants. More details

Submitted by Anthony Blampied – Deadline to sign up by: 19 August 2007 –

Signatures as at time of writing : 463