The story of Diego Garcia is shocking, almost incredible.
A British colony lying midway between Africa and Asia in the Indian Ocean, the island is one of 64 unique coral islands that form the Chagos Archipelago, a phenomenon of natural beauty, and once of peace.
Diego Garcia was first settled in the late 18th century.
At least 2,000 people lived there: a gentle Creole nation with thriving villages, a school, a hospital, a church, a prison, a railway, docks, a copra plantation.
During the 1960s, in high secrecy, the Labor government of Harold Wilson conspired with two American administrations to "sweep" and "sanitize" the islands: the words used in American documents.
At first, the islanders were tricked and intimidated into leaving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WucOPZLQYoA
***
As a student of journalism in 1973-74 in Pune, I had written the editorial of the 'daily' issue our class had brought out.
Must look for the saved copy in my nostalgia papers.
The topic of my choice?
Diego Garcia.
A British colony lying midway between Africa and Asia in the Indian Ocean, the island is one of 64 unique coral islands that form the Chagos Archipelago, a phenomenon of natural beauty, and once of peace.
Diego Garcia was first settled in the late 18th century.
At least 2,000 people lived there: a gentle Creole nation with thriving villages, a school, a hospital, a church, a prison, a railway, docks, a copra plantation.
During the 1960s, in high secrecy, the Labor government of Harold Wilson conspired with two American administrations to "sweep" and "sanitize" the islands: the words used in American documents.
At first, the islanders were tricked and intimidated into leaving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WucOPZLQYoA
***
As a student of journalism in 1973-74 in Pune, I had written the editorial of the 'daily' issue our class had brought out.
Must look for the saved copy in my nostalgia papers.
The topic of my choice?
Diego Garcia.
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