CONFIDENTIAL
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4. GIVEN THE GENERAL LACK OF ENTHUSIASM FOR THE WORKING PARTY, 1 EXPECT THAT A CONSENSUS WILL DEVELOP IN FAVOUR OF ALLOWING THE SUGGESTED TIMETABLE TO SLIP, LEADING TO THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE WORKING PARTY PROBABLY UNTIL AFTER THE 26TH SESSION. A DEVELOP- MENT ON THESE LINES WOULD SUIT ISRAEL, ACCORDING TO THEIR MINISTER WHO CALLED ON ME TODAY TO EXPLAIN THE POSITION OF HER GOVERNMENT ON THE USUAL LINES. GIVEN THAT THE U A R WERE NOW FURTHER THAN EVER FROM MEETING THE OBLIGATIONS OF GAT T, ISRAEL MUST OPPOSE FULL ACCESSION. THEY REALISE THAT PROVISIONAL ACCESSION MILL SHORTLY HAVE TO BE EXTENDED AND WILL NOT OPPOSE THIS. BUT THEY FEEL THAT CONTRACTING PARTIES HAVE BEEN BOUNCED INTO A MEETING ON FULL ACCESSION (I AM INCLINED TO AGREE WITH THAT) AND CONSIDER THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE TO SUGGEST SO RAPID A TIMETABLE.
5. UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO THE CONTRARY, I SHALL TAKE THE LINE IN FURTHER INFORMAL DISCUSSION THAT POSTPONEMENT ON GROUNDS OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IS THE BEST ANSWER. I WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO DISCUSS THE MATTER IN THE G ATT COUNCIL ON 16 DECEMBER BUT TO PERSUADE LONG TO INFORM THE U A R
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROBLEMS PRIVATELY.
F C O PASS TO CAIRO TEL AVIV AND SAVING TO UKDEL E E C BRUSSELS
AND WASHINGTON,
SIR E MELVILLE
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
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