D/DS 11/12/6/1
APS to S of S
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DS 5
DS 6
DS 8
ASD 2
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on
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FCO (Hong Kong Dept, Hr (taminars) FCO SW Pacific Department, Mr Ward)
gancion file
7-12-20.
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SECRETARY OF STATE'S INTERVIEW WITH VISNEAKS
It is possible, although we have had no indication of this, that during his interview with Visnews S of S may be asked about Brunei. Following the line taken in the Press Communique issued on
3 December 1970 and the Statement to be made in the House of Commons by Mr Royle this afternoon, 8 of S could say:
2.
"Talks were held in London between the Sultan of Brunei and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers. Heads of Proposals about the form which relations between Britain and Brunei should take were discussed and initialled on 2 December by the Sultan and Mr Royle, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. It was agreed that the next step was for the substance of the Heads of Proposals to be put into the form of a draft agreement amending the 1959 Agreement. This will be discussed at a further meeting in the first half
of next year.
It was also agreed that a battalion of the British Brigade of Gurkhas should remain in Brunei on the present basis for the time being."
It has been agreed with the Sultan that details of the Heads of
If pressed, Proposals should remain confidential for the time being. however, 2 of 5 could cay that:
"We naturally considered arrangements for the future conduct of Brunei's internal and external affairs, and various defence questio Our plans are consistent with what we hope to achieve with our Commonwealth partners in relation to Malaysia end Singapore."
7 Dec 70
AG RUCKER DS 11
Room 7357 Ext 2971