A
Pivate Scorotcrv
Givil Air Dispute with Singapora
MUA 4/418/1
Sinco 23 August BOAC flights through Singapore have been
subjected to various types of officially inspired harassment,
reculting as a rule in not less than two hours delay.
2. This situation is directly attributable to Lee Kuan Yew's
annoyance at the breakdown of tag UK/Singapore air services negotiations in London at the beginning of this month and was in
fact triggered off by a direct order from him to the Singapore
trade union concerned. Although union leaders in Singapore
have been more outspoken in their condemnation of
Her Majesty's Covernment and BOAC than have been Singapore Ministers, it is likely (although not entirely sure) that the
harassment will cnd as soon as the Singapore Government givos
the word. Sir A. de la Mare has advised, and BOAC have also
heard independent. that the Singapore Government will act as
soon as we set a dato for rosumption of the negotiations, in
Singapore. It is hoped to agree with all concerned a date
*
for about the middle of this month, not later than tomorrow.
3. If agreement on a dato to resume negotiations does not bring about the end of delays BOAC will wish to suspend servicos
through Singaporo and set in train retaliatory harassment of
MSA (the Malaysian-Singapore airline) in Tokyo. We would be
consulted before they wont ahead with this.
Mr Boulton o/R.
184
CONFIDENTIAL