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wish to examine in further detail?".
39. In paragraph 58(e), after the first sentence, insert
the sentence "At least preliminary decisions will be needed
first".
40. There was
a lengthy discussion on the desirability of
including a separate passage on political consultations.
At first the idea was favourably received, but as we went through
the FCO text, it was increasingly felt by Sir John Hunt and others
that the effect of including this passage would be simply to
irritate Ministers, who are becoming increasingly restive at
what they regard as the obstructive attitude of officials in
the drafting of a number of papers on other subjects on which
decisions will have to be taken by the Ministers in the near
future. The hope was expressed that these general considerations
would be expressed by Mr Callaghan when the paper is taken by
the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee on Thursday of next
week. In general the amendments which I asked to be included
in the paper did not find acceptance, largely for the reason that
the others present wished the questions of the political effects
on our foreign relations to be emphasised by the Foreign and
Commonwealth Secretary. There was increasing irritation as I
kept referring to the issue of "teeth versus tail" and the
possibility of seeking economies in R and D. They accepted
that the Allies would probably raise these questions, and
they thought it would be desirable that Mr Callaghan should
warn his colleagues that these were likely to come up, but
/the CDS
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