Talk:Diego Garcia

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[edit] 2016

What is the justification for the claim that the US lease expires in 2016? 1966 + 70 = 2036 by my reckoning.


Xdamr 23:44, 7 January 2006 (UTC)


It says in 2016 either party can opt out. Otherwise it will last until 2036.


In the last paragraph of "History":

The 70-year agreement between the UK and US for the US to use the island as a military base was made in 1966. Between...

I think I know what it's saying, but don't wan't to guess.

Some USians would like to buy the island after it is demilitarized and move there. Many US Conservatives believe that the moral wrong of taking

barista

Is no news so very bad?

To answer, according to "The Peak of Limuria by Richard Edis" agreement will lastt to 2016, 50 years, then it will automaticlly be renewed for 20 years (making the total 70) unless one or both nation wish to withdraw fron the island. And the governents have to give notice within two years (2014) to do so! Also it is mentioned (vaguely but not in specifics) about returning the native population at that time. Whether or not it remains a British Territiory, becomes an American one or the natives have choice or control in it is not explained. Likelyhood a little bit of everything would happen but this is speculation on my part. -- Trekkiexb5 21:00, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

The island is British. It's not for sale and we are not giving it up ever. It's all we have left in this corner of the world. YourPTR! 11:04, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Needs informed review

What John Pilger says is not universal truth. I've changed it a bit, but it needs a knowledgeable review Philip 21:31, 21 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Thanks a lot, buddy. -- John Pilger

I'm currently on Diego Garcia and have yet to see the "shopping malls" that John Pilger references in his article "Paradise Cleansed" written less than a year before my arrival. I have added some photos, and would agree that it resembles paradise. Jared

Don't know what it's like in reality, but the website calls it the Cummins Mini-Mall! Not to mention a Pack & Wrap! Rwendland 20:21, 17 January 2006 (UTC)
The "Cummins Mini-Mall" is nothing more than a few small service buildings lumped together within close proximity of each other run by Filipino contractors. T-shirt shop, tailor, barber, etc. Jared

Agreed, the Cummins Mini-mall has what 4 stores and a museum in it? The total amount of establishments are very little. There is also a grocery store (very small, like convience store sized), a bank, the ship's store (also very small), a photo shop, library, a galley and a mess hall, an MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) club & resteraunt, and internet cafe, two(?) gyms, a boathouse, a Merchant Marine club and the "Brit Club." Most of these places are in the "Downtown" part of Diego Garcia. There is also a golf course (7 holes), a Filipino club, and a Masonic lodge. -- Trekkiexb5 21:14, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Some military base!

"The atoll is now covered in luxuriant tropical vegetation" What kind of military base is covered in shrubbery! :D

The portions formally occupied by the locals?

No, locals do not live there. The military occupy a small part of the island. Once us pass the runway on the road, going south, there is very little civilization out there, apart from some bunkers, antenna, and ruin remains of the plantation. The island is very big, just not very wide, and it can be very deceptive to the eye with the thick tropical growth.Trekkiexb5 19:16, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

The island is not very big, quite long but there never were any locals. They were mearly temporary workers. YourPTR! 11:06, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

There was about 2000 locals on the island in the 60's and 70's but where 'removed' to make way for the US air base, these where people living there with their homes not "temporary workers" as is claimed by some people. [1][2]

[edit] British Territory

So what happens to the British dependancy after the military order expires?

See British Indian Ocean Territory: When BIOT was created the UK Government gave an undertaking to cede the Chagos islands to Mauritius when they were no longer required for defence purposes [3]. But I wonder how often the defence agreement will be renewed? -- Rwendland 08:34, 30 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] When does the lease run out?

Our article states

The 70-year agreement between the UK and US for the US to use the island as a military base was made in 1966.

In http://www.projectcensored.org/censored_2006/#5 it is claimed

The United States currently operates a base out of Diego Garcia—a former British mandate about halfway between Africa and Indonesia, but the lease runs out in 2016.

Which one is correct? Was it a 50 or 70 year lease? AxelBoldt 04:07, 29 January 2006 (UTC)

Sort-of both. It's a 70 year agreement, with a possible opt-out at 50 years if either Govt gives termination notice to the other (i.e by default it goes to 70). See clause 11 of the original agreement. {I am assuming this hasn't been [secretly?] amended.) Rwendland 11:47, 29 January 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Diego Garcia: Exiles Still Barred

This is reference to a CBS 60 Minutes feature dated June 13, 2003 link which talks about the uncompensated evatuation of indengenous people to the Mauritius main island. Also the about the fact that these original inhabitants are not allowed to return to their original place of residence.

The military base employs several thousand civilians but bars anyone who used to live on the island from working there.
The people of Diego Garcia say they left paradise and landed in hell when they were dumped here in the urban slums of Mauritius. They had brought no possessions and as islanders who had lived off fishing and farming they had no real professional skills.

I think this the existance of Diego Garcia is sad remnant of colonialism. Akshay--Aakkshay 14:15, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

Lets get one thing right - they did not leave on their own volition, the British forced them out, as the United States required.

[edit] Military Base

In all honesty, i would not call an island, used as a military base to attack other countries, as having paradise no matter how many trees you put there. Tell me..what's better an island which has been used to attack other countries or an island where people lived without much outside intrusion, no jets no bombers, a people at much peace with the land.Domsta333 12:51, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

It's a damn pretty island, too bad you'll never get to go there -- you worthless hippie. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.100.228.95 (talk) 02:09, 24 March 2008 (UTC)


This is a political view. A whether or not the military's presence is to your agreement, the island cannot sustain a native population. Most of the land is protected by British law, allowing the reef, animals, birds and such to survive in a evirnoment relativly peaceful. The security of the island for the military, and the strict consvation laws set by the British protecterate government, makes difficult for over-fishing, illegal hunting, and reef damage to happen. There is two sides to every coin, good and bad.-- Trekkiexb5 19:25, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

yeah, I suppose...being of mauritian parentage though it's a big issue for us,I'm not saying that the Ilois had a kind of 'Noble Savage' total harmony with the land or something..you know giving up Chagos is supposed to be one of the main reasons Chacha Ramgoolam got Mauritius independent but I just can't stand to see the poverty they've had to live in, in Mauritius many ended up building shacks which the government is now trying to tear down and replace.Domsta333 14:38, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

Being of British parentage it's a big issue for us that Mauritius is independent, does not have the Queen as head of state and the worry that one day we may have another Hong Kong scenario on our hands where we are forced to surrender more of our territory to another country and retreat from yet another part of the world. Mauritius should have been integrated into Britain like nearby Reunion was with France. That's what makes sense although it's probably too late for that ever to happen now sadly. Failing that, we can make sure what we do have left remains ours. Diego Garcia belongs to Britain, it is British territory and I hope British terriotry it will always remain whether the Chagos islanders are allowed to ever return there or not.YourPTR! 13:04, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

Careful chaps, this isn't a forum! Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry 19:07, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS

On all military bases these days, most of the work is performed by contractors under the guidance of GOV servants. Who are the major contractors on Diego Garcia. I would like to work there.

MHF

When I was there in 2002-3, the contracting agency was DG21. The vast majority of the workers were Filipino... some of them lived there for years. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.174.228.233 (talk) 23:39, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

The last paragraph of the "Strategic Importance" section, beginning "The U.S. guards this strategic jewel very closely" is taken directly from a copyrighted source, Time Magazine's article of 20 February 1998 link Need to paraphrase, cite, or delete.

[edit] Error

The article states that visitors were allowed in 1976 due to President Carter. Jimmy Carter did not become president until 1977. This is an obvious error that needs to be corrected. 21:34, 6 August 2006 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 4.225.120.195 (talk • contribs) .

[edit] See photos of Diego Garcia Plantation & nature above/below waves

See photos of Diego Garcia at http://users4.ev1.net/~mevansyfib

pictures of the Chagossian Plantation at Diego Garcia as well as nature both below and and above the waves.

[edit] GA pass

Well-written and a good number of references. Could be firther improved by adding more citations in the section on its early history. TimVickers 03:28, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Geological history?

I found myself fascinated with the physical shape of the atoll - what natural forces cause such a unique formation to form? Perhaps a brief geological history would be an interesting addition?

I believe it is formed by an extinct volcanco. Also I believe that it is sitting on the Lumeria landmass that was sunk when India subcontinet hit Asia (or Ice Age, must recheck facts!) Thus the Chacos Islands are actually tips of mountains with reefs. However, I will reverify that fact for you, with references. I have a book about Diego Garcia and have been deployed there recently.

As for natural state of the island from an ecologial standpoint, the British have been slowly removing the cats and rats from DG, and the only dogs there are the "working" military dogs that British and American have. And one Black Lab, which I think is a mascot. The chickens have free range and protected statis, with a cull every 6 months or so. THe Filipino and other "local" contractors are the only ones allow to cull the chickens. Donkeys, left over from the cocnut plantation days, run free on the uninhabited parts of the island and in the old plantation building area. There was a rumour that three horses escaped and their desentants also are present, however, they have never been seen and it is concidered "local" folklore.

Also, as depicted on the coat-of-arms, the sea turtles reside here, especialy Turtle Bay, the southern most part of the lagoon. You cannot step on the beach there. They are protected, as is the endangered (?) Coconut Crab.

Diego Garican Turtle Soup will cost you (at least) $1000 (USD) in fines, and a chicken and (coconut) crab dinner is $1500 (USD).

As for Diego Garica not looking like a coconut plantation anymore, I beg to differ. More than anywhere else, Coconut palms are inbundance. Make sure you look up when you go on a hike! Trekkiexb5 21:32, 8 February 2007 (UTC)Trekkiexb5


The book sited for the above information is "Peak of Limuria: The story of Diego Garica and the Chagos Archipelago" by Richard Edis (revised 2004 published by Chagos Conseveration Trust London England) This is one of best books I;ve read on the island, and is not very political, despite who published it. Both arguments for and against the military are addressed, as well as the geological, evironmental, and the history of the island. And a good read for those interested in the island chain. QUESTION: Is there any other books out there? -- Trekkiexb5 19:33, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WILDLIFE?

I'm surprised the article does not mention the unique nature of some of the wildlife on Diego, despite it being referenced on the talk page. This island is probably the only place you will see wild chickens living amongst the population, with free run of the island. I certainly didn't know that chickens would climb trees in the evening to sleep, though they are not very good at it and have been known to fall out, which I have personally seen :) The donkeys that hang out near the antennae are also quite odd, with larger heads than the average donkey. Some say this is due to the trons floating around in the air around the antennae, but could also be due to generations of limited breeding options. The island is also a haven for several types of crab, hermit crabs overrun the jungle at night, and the extremely large (up to 9lb) coconut crab, or "robber crab" is found here as well. I'm not sure what species the red crabs are, but there are thousands of them, and they are found everywhere (tents, showers, laundry rooms, runway, etc..) All of the flora and fauna are protected, and hefty fines are levied against violators. It is even unlawful to be in possession of a dead coconut crab. I can't cite most of this, as it is just knowledge from experience having almost 2yrs total time on the island over 3 deployments. Grannis 13:26, 9 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] GA on hold

This article has been reviewed as part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Good articles/Project quality task force in an effort to ensure all listed Good articles continue to meet the Good article criteria. In reviewing the article, I have found that the article is under-referenced. Each statistic and each statement that is likely to be challenged needs an inline citation.

I will check back in no less than seven days. If progress is being made and issues are addressed, the article will remain listed as a Good article. Otherwise, it may be delisted (such a decision may be challenged through WP:GA/R). If improved after it has been delisted, it may be nominated at WP:GAC. Feel free to drop a message on my talk page if you have any questions. Regards, Epbr123 17:16, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

As no progress has been made with the sourcing in the past eight days, I'm afraid I've had to delist the article. Epbr123 00:33, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Refueling

Under the Space Shuttle header, it seems somewhat trivial to mention that President Bush landed their for refueling. Air Force 1 refuels all over the world. If we put it here it would seem to me we should edit each place this occurs and state the same thing.Rlbarton 14:04, 21 September 2007 (UTC)