Ulterior motives

One of the cables released a few weeks ago by the wonderful Wikileaks stated that the record breaking marine reserve built by the U.K. in the Indian Ocean was built more or less to prevent former islanders to return to their homeland.

The reason? In the 1960s and 70s the United States displaced around 2,000 inhabitants of Chagos Archipelego to build a military base on an island called Diego Garcia. Since their displacement, the islanders have wanted to come back to fight for their rights in European Court of Human Rights.

The cables ensured the building of the island would guarantee security for both British and Americans.

"We do not regret the removal of the population, since removal was necessary for the BIOT to fulfill its strategic purpose," Official with the British Foreign Office, Colin Roberts said. "Removal of thepopulation is the reason that the BIOT's uninhabited islands and the surrounding waters are in "pristine" condition."


Roberts added that Diego Garcia's excellent condition reflects the responsible stewardship of the U.S. and UK forces using it.

Uh, since when did our country care about pristine waters?