can we visit diego garcia

British Indian Ocean Territory

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The British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and permits for yachts are only issued to allow safe passage through the Indian Ocean (Outer Islands only). Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections either to the military facility or to the Territory’s Administration .

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British Indian Ocean Territory

Entry requirements.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. The authorities in British Indian Ocean Territory set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the British Indian Ocean Territory administration .

Restricted access

The British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. There are no commercial flights, access is restricted and you need a permit before you travel.

COVID-19 rules

Double COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required as a condition for entry to British Indian Ocean Territory. However, there remains a small risk that individuals can have more serious complications of COVID-19.

The health facilities on the Island cannot support individuals with serious complications of COVID-19.

Be aware of this risk and have appropriate insurance coverage, including medical evacuations if needed. If you have long-term health conditions that can predispose you to the more serious complications of COVID-19, carefully consider if this is right for you.

Passport validity requirements

To enter the British Indian Ocean Territory, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Yachting permit requirements

Yacht crews must have a mooring permit to enter the British Indian Ocean Territory and make safe passage through the Indian Ocean (outer islands only).

Applying for a mooring permit

You must apply for a mooring permit at least 6 weeks in advance and have proof of appropriate travel insurance. Read guidance on applying for a mooring permit .

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What it’s like to be stationed at Diego Garcia

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Oct 31, 2023 4:04 PM EDT

5 minute read

There are sets of orders that many soldiers, sailors, Marines, guardians, and airmen sigh about when they first receive them. Sometimes, it’s the unit; other times, it’s the location or a combination of the two. But, some places have a bad rap based on lack of knowledge, and Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia is one of them.

The ‘footprint of freedom’ serves as a logistical and strategic support beam in the structure of  U.S. interests, serving as a hub for forward advancement anywhere north of the atoll. Some sailors may have an ‘ah, man’ moment when they receive orders there because it’s not well known and appears to be in the middle of nowhere. 

Jayme Pastoric served in the Navy for 24 years and recently retired as a senior chief petty officer. During his career, he was stationed at Diego Garcia for a year-long rotation starting in 2015.  He said he had a moment when he first received orders to the atoll but quickly realized after arriving it was an awesome assignment.

“Once you get there, you are blown away by just the pure magic of the place. It is, in my opinion, and a number of people that I’ve served with who have been there, that it’s the hidden gem of deployments,” Pastoric said. “What you have is the postcard tropical island with a million-dollar sunset every night. It’s like if you lived on Gilligan’s Island but had internet, right? Like, you have that tropical feel — beautiful beaches and lush, tropical areas you can explore.”

You can’t bring your family with you, and active duty personnel cannot serve back-to-back rotations, but extensions are allowed. If you are a family man or love city life, this deployment can be trying because you’re gone for a year. But even with all that, there’s a silver lining: it’s a tropical paradise. 

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The coral atoll is approximately 38 miles tip to tip, just above sea level, with a maximum elevation of 22 feet. The base was built by Navy SEABEES in 1971 , first starting as a remote radio operation and then a naval operation that can support thousands of personnel, including a touch point for naval fleets operating in the Indian Ocean.

No one shares a room while stationed at Diego Garcia. Each room is furnished with a refrigerator, microwave, telephone, TV, alarm clock, and a private shower. Officers and Chiefs have rooms with kitchenettes. There is an officers club, chiefs club, and a robust MWR that people can swing by for food and entertainment as well.

The area falls under the British Indian Ocean Territory laws and administration , so there are some differences to be mindful of. One of the laws is that every living creature on the island — coconut crabs, feral donkeys, and lizards, to name a few — is protected. 

So when the planes resupplying the grocery stores arrive, there is typically a mad rush to stock up your personal kitchen before supplies run out. 

No spear fishing is allowed, but fishing is. Pastoric said Diego Garcia is the place to be if you want to get in some trophy fishing in the tropics. Everything from wahoo to snapper to tuna fish can be caught around the atoll.

“They’ll send you out fishing for like four hours, right? You’ll come back with a number of fish, and what you do is you go to the grill, and you just have a celebration. Someone brings the beer, someone brings the chips, and someone brings the fish.” 

Snorkeling provides a great way to experience the hundreds of species living in and around the coral of the atoll as well. But similar to small town USA, Diego Garcia only has a few options to entertain: an outdoor movie theatre, a gym, and places to drink. 

“There’s a saying there. You go to Diego Garcia, and you come back a drunk, a hunk, or a monk,” Pastoric said. “So yeah, you go there, and you either drink a lot, work out a lot, or you go there, and you get really religious or reach a state of zen.”

Pastoric managed the American Forces Network Diego Garcias radio and television and served as the public affairs officer for part of his time there. When he wasn’t working, he was on the beach reading Ernest Hemingway books.

As with most tropical environments, there can be a lot of rain. Though hurricanes aren’t as much of a threat, earthquakes to the east or west can put the atoll in the path of a typhoon, but it is a rare event. Pastoric didn’t recall having to shelter in place due to tropical storms either.  

T-shirts are a sign of morale-boosting activities while stationed at Diego Garcia. Whether it’s a beach-based 5k run or a triathlon, civilian and active-duty sailors usually go home with a handful of t-shirts they earned from different activities throughout their year of service at the atoll. 

“If you try to go and collect all the T-shirts from the year, from all the events, and then people would just take those and make a blanket out of it,” Pastoric said. “I don’t know what the t-shirt budget was over there, but it had to be enormous because they were printing t-shirts left and right. They have a t-shirt for everything.”

You can’t take your vehicle with you, but you can bring your bike or use the shuttle that runs around the base. Active duty sailors qualify for a variety of special pay . Examples include basic allowance for housing (BAH), overseas housing allowance, family separation allowance, and hardship duty pay. Remember, unlike your other deployments, Diego Garcia isn’t a tax-free zone — but you can still bank some serious cash! 

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British Indian Ocean Territory

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Landscape
• 1.3 Flora and fauna
• 1.4 Climate
• 2.1 Outer islands
• 2.2 Diego Garcia
• 3 Get around
• 4.1 Outer islands
• 4.2 Diego Garcia
• 5.1 Outer islands
• 5.2 Diego Garcia
• 10 Stay safe

The British Indian Ocean Territory is centrally located in the Indian Ocean , south of the Maldives , about halfway between Madagascar and Indonesia . The main island, Diego Garcia , is a military facility off limits to anyone not on official duty, but some of the uninhabited outer islands can be visited by independent yachters with advance permission.

To quote the British Indian Ocean Territory travel advice through the British Foreign Office: "The British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. Access is restricted and a permit is required in advance of travel. There are no commercial flights and permits are only issued to yachts in safe passage. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility."

Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976, leaving only the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago of 2,300 islands. The largest and southernmost of the 58 islands, Diego Garcia , contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Approximately 3,000 former agricultural workers, earlier indigenous residents in the islands (often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois) were exiled primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order which had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. Later in June 2017, the matter was sent to the International Court of Justice, which ruled that the islands belong to Mauritius . Despite the ICJ ruling, the United Kingdom has refused to hand the islands over to Mauritius, and they remain under de facto British control to this day; repeated requests by the Chagossians to return or even simply visit have been denied by both the British and American governments.

No timetable has been set for the Ilois return, but when they do, they plan to re-establish copra production and fishing.

In February 2022, a group of Chagossians who had been exiled by the British made an unsupervised visit to survey the unclaimed Blenheim Reef, while also raising the Mauritian flag on Peros Banhos to submit a report to the ITLOS whether Blenheim Reef is claimbale.

Flat and low (most areas do not exceed two metres in elevation).

Flora and fauna

The BIOT Marine Protected Area protects a variety of wildlife, including 1% of the world's coral reefs. You may see endangered species such as green turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, sharks, and rays, and the territory also includes species that don't exist anywhere else in the world: the Chagos brain coral and Chagos anemone fish. Other wildlife includes tuna, billfish, and eighteen species of seabirds, including red-footed and brown boobies and sooty terns. Fish in the territory are able to thrive due to the prohibition on commercial fishing; the reefs here have more fish than anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately, the prohibition on diving means that your chances to experience the coral reefs and thriving fish populations will be limited. You can enjoy whatever you can see from the surface, though, as well as the seabirds and the flora on the islands. The islands are also abundant in coconut crabs , the world's largest land arthropods, which can grow up to a meter in length.

Native trees include the Indian mulberry, sea trumpet, and tropical almond. Coconut trees left over from the islands' plantation years are also plentiful.

Many of the territory's rules, including the limits on fishing and mooring, exist to help protect the wildlife.

The territory is vulnerable to invasive species; rats introduced to some of the islands in the 1700s have already harmed native birds and plants. Don't threaten the wildlife by bringing any non-native species. Before coming to the territory, scrub your hull, wash fruits and vegetables, and inspect everything closely to ensure there are no stowaway insects or spiders. Don't bring live plants with you into the territory, and when you go ashore, check everywhere for hidden seeds, insects, spiders, or other small animals.

Tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds. December through February is the monsoon season; June through September is the drier winter season with slightly cooler temperatures.

Outer islands

If you need to make a stop in the territory as part of a longer Indian Ocean sailing trip, there are some designated locations on the outer islands for you to moor. Valid yacht mooring permits for up to 28 days can be obtained from the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, for a fee of £50 per week. Details here. The mooring permits allow you to moor only at designated anchorages; some of the other islands are strict nature reserves and may not be entered. Apply at least six weeks before you plan to arrive in the territory. In order to get a permit, your passport must have at least six months' validity from your date of entry into the territory, and you must prove that mooring there is necessary for your safe passage across the Indian Ocean and demonstrate proof of adequate travel insurance and yacht insurance.

Your permit is only valid for the specified dates. If weather or other circumstances force you to change your dates of travel, you must contact the territory administration before the date on the permit and ask them to amend it. Don't moor in the territory outside the dates you have permission for.

The designated anchorages are five specific areas, two on islands in the Salomon Islands atoll and three on islands in Peros Banhos atoll. Exact details will be provided by the BIOT administration with your permit.

• -5.334732 72.267214 2 Ile Fouquet and Ile Takamaka (Salomon) .  
• -5.256147 71.764256 3 Ile Diamante (Peros Banhos) .  
• -5.446898 71.760079 4 Ile du Coin (Peros Banhos) .  
• -5.461533 71.80916 5 Ile Fouquet (Peros Banhos) .  

Several of the other islands are strict nature reserves. You may not anchor, land, or approach within three nautical miles of these islands: Cow Island, Danger Island and the drying coral reef, Eagle Island, Nelson's Island, and the Three Brothers and Resurgent Island. In addition, the eastern portion of Peros Banhos atoll is equally off limits. All wildlife on and around these islands is protected. Anyone who violates these rules by approaching the islands may be fined £1,000 on the spot, with increasing penalties if you fail to pay.

Diego Garcia

There is paved road between the airport and the harbour on Diego Garcia.

• Île Boddam ( Boddam Island ). Formerly home to a plantation, whose buildings, including a church, are now overgrown by jungle. The ruins here include old rail tracks and a cemetery. Some of the buildings have been converted into a so-called "yacht club", which has a log book where you can sign your name. ( updated Mar 2018 )
• Île du Coin . The main island in Peros Banhos atoll, formerly home to the Perch Settlement. The atoll's coconut plantations, which were scattered on several of its islands, were run from here. Ruins include buildings and a cemetery. ( updated Mar 2018 )
• -5.311317 72.264844 1 Île Mapou ( Salomon Atoll ). Has the most birds of any island in Salomon Atoll because it's rat-free.  
• Wreck of the Black Rose . A wrecked ship on the northernmost beach of Île Fouquet (Salomon Atoll). ( updated Mar 2018 )

The clear blue water on the lagoon side of Diego Garcia (except after stormy weather).

• Catalina Beach ( near The Plantation ). The beach with a wrecked aircraft.  
• The Plantation . A former coconut plantation on the eastern end of Diego Garcia, out of use since 1970. The buildings have been restored.  
• Turtle Cove ( south of the island ). Watch the endangered turtles hanging out, as well as lemon sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and cowtail stingrays.  
• Snorkel – the marine life is spectacular. Beware of sharks, though.
• Go for a hike through the coconut jungles, ruined buildings, and pristine beaches.
• Meet other travellers . The mooring sites sometimes get more than one boat at a time, especially the popular "yacht club" on Ile Boddam, where you may be able to socialise over some barbecued fish on the beach.
• You may be able to find a bit of sports equipment. Boddam Island has a swing and a volleyball court.

Diving, spear-fishing, and removal of flora and fauna are prohibited.

• Plantation Trail – a walk to the beach, a little over ten minutes, that allows you to see various native trees, ferns and coconut crabs. Non-native trees have been cleared and native trees planted—most of the work, including the construction of the trail, has been done by volunteers. The trail includes a loop, so you can see a different area on the way back. Informative signs at the beginning of the trail tell you about the tree species you'll see.
• Snorkel Trail – follow a series of nine buoys over a shallow area of water where you can see a beautiful coral ecosystem. Masks and snorkels are available from the marina office.

Commercial activity of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Independent yachters must be self-sufficient, so bring whatever food you need. You are allowed to catch fish for your own consumption within three days. Use a rod or line only; spear fishing is strictly prohibited. Keep a log of your fishing in case the British government asks to see it.

Don't bring any fresh food ashore with you, for fear of accidentally spreading non-native seeds or small animals.

Most of the islands have old wells with fresh water, including Ile Boddam, Ile Takamaka, and Ile du Coin. The water isn't drinkable, but it is usable for washing and can be filtered and purified.

On the outer islands, you're not allowed to remain on shore between sunset and sunrise, or set up any kind of camp or structure. So you'll be sleeping on your boat.

The old buildings on Ile du Coin and Ile Boddam are structurally unsafe, and visitors enter at their own risk.

The territory is tightly controlled, with fines and possible imprisonment for violations of its numerous rules. Do not go within three nautical miles of the strict nature reserves or Diego Garcia; kill, remove, or disturb any flora or fauna (except the limited fishing that is permitted), including shells; introduce any foreign flora or fauna (including pets, which must remain on your boat); stay ashore overnight; do anything that risks damaging the old buildings; leave behind garbage except in designated receptacles; import drugs; or go diving.

The territory is very remote, and no medical facilities are available. Be prepared to get a medical evacuation if you need it.

If you have an emergency, you can contact Diego Garcia for assistance on 2.182MHz HF SSB or 00 246 3702938 .

Yachties can only visit the BIOT as part of a longer voyage across the Indian Ocean. Here are some possible next stops for your itinerary:

• Cocos (Keeling) Islands , a territory of Australia
• Rodrigues , an outlying island of Mauritius

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See inside Diego Garcia, a secretive US Navy base on British land at the center of a bitter tug-of-war in the Indian Ocean

• In 1966, the UK leased the US the remote, 17-square-mile Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. 
• Diego Garcia is now a key US military base, and it is used as a launchpad for the Air Force.
• The future of the base is uncertain after the UN ruled the UK should return it to evicted islanders. 

On the remote tropical island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean lies a secretive, strategically vital US military base.

The base has served as a launchpad for US military operations in the Middle East and as a refueling point for Air Force patrols headed to the South China Sea, and it was even designated an emergency landing spot for space missions by NASA. 

But this distant outpost of American power isn't located on US territory. Instead it occupies what used to be part of the British Empire — and its formerly colonized inhabitants want it back.

A 2019  ruling from the UN's highest court said Diego Garcia and the islands around it were illegally taken by Britain and should be returned to the islanders who were evicted. Though the ruling is not binding, it has put the future of the base in doubt.

In November 2022, officials from the UK and Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the territory, began negotiations over the future of Diego Garcia in a bid to resolve "outstanding issues." 

Scroll down to see what the remote installation is like.

Diego Garcia is located in the Indian Ocean's Chagos Archipelago, more than 1,000 miles from the nearest continent.

Its position is strategically vital for the US, allowing it to project its military strength northwest into the Middle East and South Asia, east into Asia, or west into Africa. 

It's the most important US base in the Indian Ocean region. 

It's a horseshoe-shaped atoll of about 17 square miles.

Diego Garcia is surrounded by about 60 other atolls.

Its coast forms a deep natural harbor, making it the perfect site for a naval base. 

Diego Garcia is a tropical island, with white sands and coconut forests, surrounded by azure seas.

It is home to turtles, giant migrating birds, and the coconut crab – the largest land-based animal on the island.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 service personnel are stationed at the base, mostly Americans with a few from the UK.

There are also civilian contractors, mostly from nearby Mauritius, who cook and clean for the soldiers and sailors. 

The "downtown" area of Diego Garcia is like a small American town.

US military service personnel can spend their downtime bowling, cycling, or shopping.

Diego Garcia has been the site of important military action by the US.

From Diego Garcia, US bombers launched attacks in Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 and on Iraq during the 2003 invasion of the country by the US and its allies. 

Before that, the site had proved its strategic importance for US military operations in the Middle East as a base for Air Force attacks in 1991 during the first Gulf War.

Diego Garcia has a 2-mile runway capable of hosting B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers.

From the base, long-range B52 bombers embarked on missions to Afghanistan in 2001, targeting Taliban and Qaeda positions in the country's mountains.

The base is also vital as a refueling point for the US Navy and Air Force.

Its deep port is able to accommodate aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and other ships. 

"There are also massive pre-positioned ships in the lagoon, each about the size of the Empire State Building, filled with enough weapons and supplies for material tanks, helicopters for an entire brigade of Marines," David Vine, who has written a book on the Chagos islands, told CNN .

With Diego Garcia accessible only to restricted US military personnel, its secrecy has attracted speculation.

Unlike the US military base in Guam, the spouses of personnel are not allowed on Diego Garcia. No journalist has visited. 

Lawrence Wilkerson, a former official in the Bush administration, told Vice News in 2015 that CIA contacts had informed him it served as one of the network of prisons where people were detained, interrogated, and in some cases tortured as part of the post-9/11 war on terror.

The claims have been awkward for the British. Officials in the UK government have long denied UK complicity or involvement in the US's "extraordinary rendition" program. 

From 1967 to 1973, the British evicted the entire population of the Chagos islands — known as the Ilois — to make way for the US air base.

The ancestors of the Ilois had been transported to the islands as slaves to work coconut plantations in the 18th century. 

But after being forcefully uprooted in the 1960s and 1970s, most of the Ilois were moved to nearby Mauritius or the Seychelles, where they faced poverty and discrimination .

Some moved then to Britain, where they have continued to experience hardship .

The Ilois have fought for the right to return to their homeland, with the British High Court in 2006 ruling that their expulsion was illegal .

The British government has continued to deny that it broke laws in expelling the Ilois, and it has blocked their right to return.

But the UN has said British rule over the islands is illegal.

In May 2o19, the UN's highest court ruled that the 60 or so Chagos islands — including Diego Garcia — had been transferred to British authority illegally in 1965. 

The islands were previously part of Mauritius, but Mauritius handed control of them to Britain for a cash fee two years before gaining independence.

The UN court ruled that it was illegal for the British in the 1960s to demand possession of the islands as a condition of independence.

Shortly Mauritius granted the land to the British, they leased it to the US.  

The UN served an eviction notice to the British after its 2019 ruling. Though the ruling is not enforceable, it exerts moral pressure and has placed the future of the base in doubt.

Amid the uncertainty, the US has shown no indication that it's willing to give up the base. 

In a recent visit a visit to the island, Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Pacific Fleet, stressed its importance to the US, Stars and Stripes reported. 

"The visit underscored the strategic importance of Diego Garcia to an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific by enabling presence, assured access, and defense to the global commons," a US Navy news release stated.

This article was first published in August 2019 and has been updated to include more detail and recent developments.

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Diego Garcia – Things You Didn’t Know about American Island Military Base

Nov 9, 2022 | Articles , Military/War

Diego Garcia is an island overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is the largest of 60 small islands compromising the Chagos Archipelago. It was first discovered and named by the Portuguese, and then settled by the French in the 1790s. British got the island after the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1966, the population of the island was 924. The people were employed as contract farm workers on primarily coconut plantations.

Thanks to a lease deal between the US and the UK, the island is now a military base for America. The base is 1,000 miles from the nearest continent. Yet, it has all the trappings of a modern American town. Troops there can dine burgers at Jake’s Place, enjoy golf, go bowling, or drink in one of the several bars.

But this is not American soil. It is a remote remnant of the British Empire. In 1965, in the middle of the Cold War, the United States signed a controversial and secret agreement with the British government to lease the island. The UK was in the process of decolonizing Mauritius, and the Chagos Islands never got its independence. It was cleaved from Mauritius and renamed the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Quick History Timeline

Portuguese navigator, explorer, and diplomat, Pedro Mascarenhas discovered the islands in 1512. He named it Dom Garcia in honor of his patron, Dom Garcia de Noronha. Another Portuguese expedition with the Spanish explorer Diego Garcia de Moguer rediscovered the island in 1544 and named it after himself. So, in a way, the island got its name thanks to its first two discoverers.

In 1914, German light cruiser SMS Emden visited the island. By 1942, the British opened RAF Station Diego Garcia and established an advanced flying boat unit. During World War II, Catalina and Sunderland aircraft were flown in the Island.

In the early 1960s, the UK was withdrawing its military presence from the Indian Ocean. At this point, they signed a deal with the United States to establish a naval communication station on one of the island territories. The US requested an unpopulated island belonging to the UK to avoid political difficulties with the newly independent countries.

To accomplish the defense strategy, the UK purchased the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 from the self-governing colony of Mauritius for 3 million British pounds. That led to the creation of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) with the intent of closing plantations to provide uninhabited British territory.

Between 1968 and 1973, the farm workers got forcibly removed from Diego Garcia by the UK government to make way for a military base. Many of the locals got deported to Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Politics and Military Administration

Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island in the British Indian Ocean territory. The French colonized the Island originally. But they had to give it up to the UK in the Treaty of Paris 1814 at the conclusion of a portion of the Napoleonic Wars.

The UK purchased administration from the island of Mauritius in 1965. Now, the UK represents the territory internationally. There were plans or a local government, but it does not exist.

The administration is represented by the officer commanding the British Forces on Diego Garcia, the Brit Rep. Laws and regulations on the island are promulgated by the commissioner and enforced in the BIOT by the British Rep.

The UK lease the island to the US. To serve the relationship between the UK and the US, they hold an annual meeting called The Pol-Mil talks. They hold it at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to resolve any pertinent issues. The resolutions are formalized in an Exchange of Letters.

The US and the UK do not recognize Diego Garcia as subject to the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty. It is not publicly known whether nuclear weapons have ever been stored on the island.

CIA Prison Controversy

In 2015, the US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s former chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson, said that CIA used the island for “nefarious activities”. He cited three intelligence sources that Diego Garcia was used as a transit site where people were temporarily housed and interrogated from time to time.

Since 2005, the island is rumored to be one of the locations of the CIA’s black sites. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is rumored to be one of the high-value detainees.

Manfred Nowak, one of the five of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, said that there is credible evidence that ships serving as black sites used Diego Garcia as a base.

On December 9, 2014, the United States Senate Intelligence Committee published a 600-page unclassified summary of their 6,700 page secret report on the abuse by CIA of their secret prisoners.

How the US and the UK banned locals

Back in the days, locals had a lifestyle distinct to that on Mauritius. Unlike Mauritius, where back-breaking work was endured on sugar plantations, locals here had their own type of work. They had their own version of the Creole language, they had schools for children, and tended private gardens.

Simply put, they led a peaceful way of life. That stopped in 1967, as the US and the UK began tearing that life apart. They exiled all the inhabitants from their land.

They started by preventing people to come back after going to special medical treatments to Mauritius. If a mother gave birth to a child, she would be left in Mauritius while the rest of the family would be on Chagos.

Then, they gradually restricted medical and food supplies to the island. And eventually, in 1973, all those remaining were told that they had to leave overnight.

The locals were herded into the hold of two cargo ships and then left on the quayside in Mauritius or the Seychelles.

Life on Diego Garcia

The island underwent the biggest expansion of any US military base after the Vietnam War. It became fully operational in 1986. The first thing the US did was deepen the harbor.

Now, the harbor is big enough for an aircraft carrier. There are massive pre-positioned ships in the lagoon filled with enough weapons and supplies for material tanks, helicopters, and more.

The base received more personnel following the 9/11 attacks. It is one of the handful of stations running the US military’s Global Positioning Systems. Some experts say it is a “floating aircraft carrier”.

Troops there enjoy many American things, like bars, burgers, and more.

Can civilians visit Diego Garcia?

The main island is a military facility. It is off limits to anyone not on official duty. Some of the uninhabited outer islands can be visited by independent yachters with advance permission. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to people with connection to the military.

The Future of the Island

The deal between the UK and the US was secret because the UK was in the process of decolonizing Mauritius. But that deal has had its criticism.

On June 23, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of referring the territorial dispute between Mauritius and the UK to the International Court of Justice. The goal was to clarify the legal status of the Chagos Islands. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the United Kingdom must transfer the islands to Mauritius. The reason they were not legally separated in 1965. But the ruling is not legally binding.

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Despite that, a written statement by the US government says that neither the Americans nor the British have any plans to discontinue use of the military base.

As it stands, the British can ignore the ruling. The matter who holds sovereignty over the Islands will go to the United Nations General Assembly.

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A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

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• Trivia Ray Liotta was cast in the film in February 2022. He died in May that year before he could film his scenes. Dennis Quaid replaced him as a result.

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• Jul 1, 2024

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• September 20, 2024 (United States)
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• Runtime 2 hours 20 minutes
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Sunray Pediatric Dentistry

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About the Business

At Sunray Pediatric Dentistry, our core mission is to help children overcome challenges that stand in the way of receiving quality dentistry. As kids succeed with us and accomplish their dental appointments, we help them recognize this increased confidence which they carry with them out the door and into the rest of their lives. This is more than just a goal, it's our passion. Stop by our office in Torrey Highlands today. We can't wait to meet you and your little ray of sunshine. …

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13350 Camino Del Sur

San Diego, CA 92129

Torrey Highlands

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I cannot recommend Sunray enough, in our family we have been through many dentist who have tried to over charge and over diagnose any chance they got. We found sunray dental and from the first visit we could tell it was different, the office is so inviting and kid friendly, the staff takes the time to welcome you and explain any pricing and procedures. They made my 6 year old feel welcome and at home even when she had to come in for procedures. My 9 year old was a bit more stressed about it and they gave her time and kept reminding her of her confidence. The only thing for us is that we have to travel 45 minutes to an hour to get there but the transparency and the fact that we have found an actual honest dentist and a kind practice makes that drive 100% worth it.

We just finished our first appointment here and we are very impressed. Everyone was so friendly and courteous and made us feel right at home. Well, as close as you can for being at the dentist! Lol From the easy appointment, and filling out the required documents online to the actual visit, everything was smooth and flawless. Parking is ok, not great. I have never had a problem finding parking but I can see it fill up on high school game days. Customer service was amazing. The dental assistant was so amazing. A mother and can relate to bringing kids to the dentist. She made us feel at ease and made this visit very pleasant. Dr. Hall was professional, easy with the tools and friendly. If you are in the market for a pediatric dentistry, check out this dentist office.

This was our kids first dentist appointment and it went really well! Front and back office staff were friendly and professional. Dentist was super chill and was great with our kids.

We were impressed by how nice they were at our first appt but later shocked and regretted to take our daughter there. Someone mentioned earlier that they charge much more than other dental clinics for laughing gas and that's also what happened to us (55 dollars more!!) . Watch out if they push you to do some aggressive procedures too soon. You might want to have a second opinion about it. Also, ask as as many questions as you can because they are not good at walking you through what to expect on the front end, and setting expectations, also about what to watch for after the procedures.

I highly recommend Sunray Pediatric Dentistry if you're looking for a dentist for your child especially a dentist that's sensitive to children with special needs. My 2 and 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with Autism Level 3 and is also non verbal and has sensory issues. He doesn't like his face being touched and brushing his teeth and is extremely difficult. I was looking for a new pediatric dentist because I felt rushed and overlooked as a patient and am so glad we came to Sunray. Dr. Danny Hall was SO nice, patient and understanding. The office is very clean and inviting. My son Enzo had a meltdown as soon as we walked in the office and I had such bad anxiety because I couldn't calm him down. When we were taken back to the exam room, we didn't have to wait long and Dr. Hall was so friendly. It's my automatic response to say "I'm sorry" or "I'm so sorry" whenever my son has a meltdown and we're in a public setting/ in front of people. The first thing I said when he came in was "I'm sorry, I've tried everything and I can't call him down." He said "Why are you saying sorry? There's nothing to be sorry about. I actually reject your apology." Hearing his words made me tear up because I'm so used to saying sorry or apologizing for my son's behavior and it's obviously not his fault because he doesn't understand what's going on and going to the doctors and pediatricians is scary for him. No one has ever "rejected" my apology wand for once I felt like I didn't have to explain or be judged. I wish more people would be as compassionate as Dr. Hall. It made me so happy and I honestly can't recommend this pediatric office enough.

We had an awesome experience for our 2 year old's first dental visit! With this being her first dental visit, admittedly my husband and I were more nervous than our little. The Sunray Team did an amazing job putting us at ease with their level of kindness and patience with my family. First, Shannon was very responsive and helpful when I reached out to schedule a last-minute appointment. With having a busy work schedule, I truly appreciate this! Second, I appreciate the completion ease of the e-medical forms/paperwork. It took all of 5 minutes and I was able to knock it out on my cell. Third, they saw us as soon as we checked in. No long wait. Fourth, this is a very clean, welcoming office. We didn't feel ushered in and out. Dr. Hall even took the time after to give us a tour of the office. Fifth, Dr. Hall is a rockstar! We have a strong-willed child that cooperates at her own pace. Dr. Hall didn't rush or seem irritated. He was very patient with our daughter and gave her time to get settled. What really meant a lot to us is that he wasn't pushy or judgmental. While he gave us professional advice, he didn't shame us on our parenting style and was very compassionate. At a time where we are all doing our absolute best, I truly appreciate that Dr. Hall is understanding, kind and compassionate toward his patients/parent of patients. He walked us through the process, answered all of our questions, and helped us understand expectations for future visits. As my husband told me, it's just too bad that Sunray is pediatric dentistry focus, as we would 100% make the Sunray Team our go to dentist for ourselves! Lol

I took my kiddos (age 7&4) to Dr. Hall for their checkups and cleanings. The office is extremely clean, the team is so friendly and helpful and Dr. Hall is kind and thorough. You can really tell he is passionate about his work. My kids were comfortable the entire time and left happy and excited which is always a plus for parents of young kids! Thanks Sunray!

Dr. Hall and his staff are amazing! I love how this office utilizes techniques that help build confidence in my child and their decision to seek dental treatment. Dr. Hall ensured the safety of my child while in treatment by allowing her to "be in charge." She was terrified her first visit, rightfully so considering the reason for the visit was due to her tooth hurting. She is only four, and she doesn't quite understand what is going on fully, and kids all associate scrubs with needles.. the staff was kind and gentle, guiding her through each step and why it was necessary. They answered all her questions in a way that she could understand that what she was doing was the best decision for her dental health. They allowed her to make the decision to "stop or take a break" by raising her hand, then they would address the cause of her problem and boost her with reassurance that everything was OK. This office gives my daughter the tools she needs to be able to overcome her fears of dental treatment and make the best decision for her dental health that will continue on in her life well into her adult years! This fact here is priceless and can not be found at many pediatric dental offices. I highly recommend this office and staff. They are phenomenal, and words can't express my gratitude.

I've been going to Children's Dentistry in Mira Mesa for my 2 kids for almost 5 years now. I wasn't super happy with the service and honestly I didn't pay much attention. Until I realize I haven't seen the dentist smile for a single time for whole time. And the assistance makes repetitive comments without emotion like a robot, I always have to ask one more time. Then I decided that my kids deserve a better dentist and found Sunray. Very glad that I did. The reception area looked so welcoming and looked relatively new. (I know how important/helpful that customers leave a review for a small business.) Dr. Hall was more like a teacher at school than a doctor. First he SMILED and welcomed me and my daughter (15-yr-old). Then he answered all my questioned. After he examined her he came out to me and explained. No rush, no nervousness. You know the feeling, you want to ask another question but you get the feeling that doctor has to run for the next patient and you can't. I didn't feel any of this there. Lastly my daughter said he did the job very gently and quietly, so she didn't feel as scary/uncomfortable as the previous dentist. I'm glad she liked. She goes to West View so she can walk after school! I scheduled a cleaning for both my kids in Aug. Highly recommend. p.s. Dr. Hall, please get more chairs in the reception. You are going to be very busy soon. Thank you so much!

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Why did sergio garcia snap back about a slow-play warning (and why he might have been right), share this article.

After missing last year’s Open Championships, Sergio Garcia is attempting to get into this year’s event through local qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club.

Since 1998, Garcia has made 24 starts at the Open, missing just four cuts and totaling 12 top-20 finishes, 10 of which were top 10s. His career-best finish came at Carnoustie in 2007 where he earned the silver medal. He finished T-68 in his most recent appearance, during the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews.

But on Tuesday, Garcia’s group was flagged by officials with a slow-play warning.

Garcia, through a Tweet from Bunkered’s Ben Parsons, can be heard snapping back at the officials by saying, “You’re always right, we’re always wrong.”

For context, Garcia not happy that he’s been put on the clock when it’s taking marshals “3-4 minutes” to move fans walking on his line on tee shots. https://t.co/doiWXY2UO6 — Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) July 2, 2024

To be fair, Garcia’s complaint was that his group repeatedly had to wait because officials were having an issue clearing people out of the way, and his contention appears true by various images and videos.

Also, his group was one of 10 to be put on the clock, according to Parsons.

Garcia not happy with this pull on 17 but he’s recovered brilliantly from the sand to save par. He’s level and four back. His group are one of 10 on the clock here @WestLancsGC . pic.twitter.com/DFRvlJks9l — Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) July 2, 2024

Garcia had mentioned before his round that playing in qualifiers offers a “unique perspective,” and added that it “drives you to give even more when you qualify.”

Going through qualifiers gives a unique perspective. It’s tough but I enjoy the challenge. Direct qualification is ideal, but competing for limited spots makes you value it more. With so few spots, like The Open's 72 players competing for 5-6 spots, you realize how hard it is to… — Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) July 2, 2024

Of course, Garcia has had issues with officials before, including one at the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship , when Garcia blew his tee shot way left of the 10th fairway into a hazard. After several minutes of searching, he finally found his ball.

A rules official said he took too long. The official said he started the timer once Garcia arrived at the general location of his golf ball, while the Spaniard argued it should have started once he crossed the river as he knew his ball was on the other side and he was just looking for a way to cross.

Despite his persistence, Garcia was forced to take a drop.

After waving his hand in disgust, he said under his breath, “I can’t wait to leave this tour.”

His rant would continue.

“Can’t wait to get outta here. … just a couple more weeks until I don’t have to deal with you anymore.”

He left for LIV Golf soon after.

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