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4. IN BROACHING WITH YOU IN JULY THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE RENE. ) STERLING AGREEMENTS TO COVER A PERIOD AFTER SEPTEMBER 1973, I WAS TAKING WHAT SEEMED TO BE A CONVENIENT OPPORTUNITY, GIVEN THE OTHER REASONS FOR HOLDING CONSULTATIONS AT THAT TIME. IN ITSELF, OF COURSE, RENEWAL IS NOT URGENT AS THE AGREEMENTS DO NOT EXPIRE UNTIL SEPTEMBER HEXT YEAR. I REMAIN VERY MUCH OF THE VIEW THAT THE ASSURANCE OF SOME DEGREE OF STABILITY, WHICH THESE AGREEMENTS HAVE. OFFERED AND CAN CONTINUE TO OFFER ALL OF US, IS IMPORTANT. I KNOW, BOWEVER, THAT ONE OR TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE FOUND IT INCONVENIENT TO HAVE TO CONSIDER NOW A MATTER ON WHICH A DECISION WAS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL NEXT YEAR, AND I ALSO HAVE THE SENSE THAT A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES, FACING THE MANY UNCERTAINTIES WHICH SURROUND US AND LIE IN PROSPECT, MAY HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR MAKING UP THEIR MINDS A LITTLE NEARER THAT TIME.
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5. WHILST, THEREFORE, I KNOW THAT ONE OR TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD HAVE WELCOMED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE FIRM ARRANGEMENTS NOW, I THINK THAT I SHALL BEST REFLECT THE CONSENSUS OF DIFFERENT ATTITUDES IN SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD PAUSE FOR A WHILE ON THIS SUBJECT, WITH THE IDEA OF RESUMING DISCUSSIONS AND NEGOTIATION NEXT YEAR. MEANWHILE, OF COURSE, YOU CONTINUE TO BE COVERED BY THE EXISTING AGREEMENT AS IT STANDS.
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