ABSTRACT
The Chagos Archipelago consists of six major islands, located centrally in the Indian Ocean. In 1981, a survey reported that the total number of Chagos refugees in Mauritius after these periods of expulsion was 2,800. Diego Garcia passed from French to British control at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Its importance was first realised during World War II when it was used for ship repairs and refuelling. Diego Garcia provides a major facility for the region since it is remote, secure and centrally placed. It is relatively immune from land-based attack and, since the local population was moved to Mauritius, from any serious local political conflict. In 1991, the installation proved of major value to US forces during the Gulf War. It was used during the 1998 stand-off between the USA, the UK and Iraq. In 1996, Mauritius demanded a share of the proceeds from fishing permits, while still not accepting use of the island as a US base.
