CONFIDENTIAL
the internal government of Brunei. As in the case
of the Associated States, the Committee of 24
and General Assembly have so far declined to
accept that Brunei is not a non-self-governing
territory but again without much conviction or
enthusiasm. Malaysia criticised the Brunei
Government's internal policies at last year's
General Assembly and may return to the charge.
It is therefore even more desirable for us to
maintain that we have no responsibility for the
internal affairs of that territory. I recommend
that we accept Mr Richard's recommendation.
Sovereignty disputes (Gibraltar, Falkland Islands and Belize) (Paragraph 7(c) of Letter)
29. Mr Richard recommends that we should attend
debates on these territories, but should urge the
Chairman not to discuss them or to do so only
formally. I recommend that we agree with these
recommendations.
30. Mr Richard goes on to recommend that he should
tell the Chairman that we would only speak if
absolutely necessary and that a visiting mission
to any of them would need very careful consideration and preparation with all the territories concerned.
This might unnecessarily give away some potentially
useful cards. In the case of Gibraltar and the
Falkland Islands the Committee will continue to
support the Spanish and Argentine claims. Moreover
at present we would not in any case want to
jeopardise bilateral talks by seeking to press
our case in the Committee on these two territories.
CONFIDENTIAL
/But we
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