"The UK government was forced to shelve its legislation to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after the US dropped its support for the agreement. As part of the deal, the UK was to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and lease the island of Diego Garcia, which is the site of a joint UK-US military base, for 99 years to continue operations."
"Doughty said Trump had initially described the treaty as very strong and powerful, adding that the document had been tested thoroughly at all levels of the United States system under two administrations and found to be robust. But with the withdrawal of US support, Doughty said it had become impossible to agree an update to the 1966 UK-US agreement."
"Doughty told MPs that updating the 1966 agreement was necessary to ratify the treaty, and so the Diego Garcia bill can therefore not complete its passage this parliamentary session and cannot be carried over due to its advanced progression through parliament."
"The delay to the treaty will be sad news to many Chagossians although I accept not all will share that view."
The UK government has halted legislation to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after the US withdrew its support for the treaty. Initially negotiated with US cooperation, the agreement included leasing Diego Garcia for military purposes. The UK Foreign Office minister stated that updating the 1966 UK-US agreement is essential for ratifying the treaty. The setback reflects deteriorating US-UK relations, particularly following Trump's criticism of UK political figures. The delay is disappointing for many Chagossians, although not universally accepted.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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