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solution in Gibraltar.
15. Such a solution could also have repercussions on HNG's
whole policy towards the remaining Dependent Territories and
particularly on the Falkland Islands and Belize disputes. I
am therefore submitting through Mr Larmour.
Tactics
16. If an eventual solution on these lines were acceptable
to Ministers a paper on the lines I attach could not be ready
for transmission on 23 August. It would be desirable to obtain
Sir J Russell's, the Governor, Gibraltar's and perhaps subsequently
Sir J Hassan's views on it before putting it forward for
collective Ministerial consideration.
I have therefore introduced
into the comments on the Spanish proposals suggestions that
alternative ways of achieving a transfer of sovereignty exist.
These are designed to encourage the Spaniards to ask what we
have in mind; our response would be that the Secretary of State
should have counter-proposals to put forward in New York. We
could not plausibly, in my view, delay action much beyond them.
17. If Sir J Hassan refused to contemplate a solution on these
lines, Ministers would have to reconsider how far they were
willing to overrule him and how far our ideas should be
modified in the light of the probable consequences for Anglo-
Spanish relations.
Recommendations
13.
I recommend:
(a) that Governor, Gibraltar be instructed, subject to any
comments which he and Sir J Russell may have, to show
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/our