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<p>We remain disappointed that this matter was referred to the International Court
of Justice and the UN General Assembly. We have no doubt about our sovereignty over
the British Indian Ocean Territory, which has been under continuous British sovereignty
since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the Archipelago and we do not
recognise its claim. We have, however, made a longstanding commitment to cede sovereignty
of the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes.
We stand by that commitment.</p>
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