BBC reports on the secretive military base located on Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean. Despite its idyllic setting, the island is strictly off-limits to civilians and has been the center of a territorial dispute between the UK and Mauritius. The BBC recently gained rare access to the island to cover a court case involving Sri Lankan Tamils who have been stranded there for years. The journey to the island is difficult, with stringent restrictions in place for those granted permits to enter. The UK and US have both expressed concerns about allowing media access to the island, which is heavily controlled by the US military. Despite the challenges, the BBC was able to observe and report on the unique details of one of the world’s most restricted locations. “When the court hearing on Diego Garcia was blocked by the US this summer, a senior official at the Ministry of Defence stated that the UK lacked the authority to grant access. The US security assessment, which is classified, was cited as the reason for the denial of access. Biot’s acting commissioner also mentioned the inability to compel US authorities to grant access to the military facility on the British territory. Despite the relaxed atmosphere on the island, with recreational activities like tennis and windsurfing, reminders of the sensitive base are present, such as military drills and fenced-off areas identified as armories. The island boasts stunning natural beauty and marine biodiversity, but also has a dark history of forced evictions and exploitation of enslaved people. The US and British military closely monitor activities on the island, which was strategically chosen for its location and small population. The UK’s close military ties with the US and financial incentives played a role in the establishment of the military base on Diego Garcia.” Chagossians from the BBC have recounted being forced onto cargo ships and transported to Mauritius or the Seychelles. Some Chagossians were granted UK citizenship in 2002 and many relocated to the UK. Liseby Elysé, a Chagossian, testified at the International Court of Justice that life on the archipelago was once happy and fulfilling before they were abruptly expelled. The Chagossians have been fighting for years to return to their homeland, as Mauritius claims ownership of the islands and the United Nations has deemed the UK’s administration of the territory as “unlawful.” Human Rights Watch has described the forced displacement of the Chagossians as a crime against humanity.
The UK government, despite claiming sovereignty over the islands since 1814, has entered negotiations with Mauritius regarding the future of the territory. The Diego Garcia military base, located on the Chagos Islands, plays a crucial role in military operations due to its strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. There have been allegations of the base being used for secretive purposes, including as a possible CIA black-site for housing and interrogating terror suspects.
Despite the controversies surrounding Diego Garcia, the UK and US continue to prioritize the security and operation of the joint military base, emphasizing its importance for military activities in the region. Estas eran operaciones de extradición, nada más”, dijo, mientras negaba informes de que la CIA tenía una instalación en Diego García.
Años después, Lawrence Wilkerson, jefe de gabinete del ex Secretario de Estado de EE. UU. Colin Powell, le dijo a Vice News que fuentes de inteligencia le habían dicho que Diego García se había utilizado como un lugar “donde la gente era alojada temporalmente e interrogada de vez en cuando”.
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Un bombardero de la Fuerza Aérea de EE. UU. despega de Diego García, rumbo a Afganistán, en octubre de 2001
No se me permitió acercarme a ninguna de las áreas militares sensibles de Diego García.
Después de dejar mi alojamiento en la isla por última vez, recibí un correo electrónico, agradeciéndome por mi reciente estancia y pidiendo comentarios. “Queremos que cada huésped experimente nada menos que una experiencia acogedora y cómoda”, decía.
Antes de volar, mi pasaporte fue sellado con el escudo de armas del territorio. Su lema dice: “In tutela nostra Limuria”, que significa “Limuria está bajo nuestra custodia” – una referencia a un continente mítico perdido en el Océano Índico.
Un continente que no existe parece ser un símbolo adecuado para una isla cuyo estatus legal está en duda y que pocos, desde que los chagosianos fueron expulsados, han sido permitidos ver.