Mr Jackson
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DEFENCE REVIEW:
CONSULTATIONS
1. Your minute of 23 september on this subject asked for preliminary advice about the form, level and timetable for any further negotiations with Allies on non-NATO commitments.
2. I agree with the general concept that this should be done in the capitals concerned (subject to paragraphs 4 and 5 below), will have to be a joint operation with the MCD and, ideally, that the emissaries should be Ministers of state. bo far as I know, the only Minister expected here from one of the Five Fower countries in the period concerned is Mr Whitlam. He will be in Lurope for most of December and January. I do not think that we should try to have substantive discussions with him here on Five Power Defence but his presence for part of that time will need to be kept in mind.
FPDA
3. Since it is New Zealand which will almost certainly press
us hardest to retain a minimal presence in Singapore · for practical as well as psychological reasons, our consultations should probably start there on this occasion. If the emissary went first to Malaysia and Singapore, I think it would be necessary to have some preliminary discussion with the New Zealanders through diplomatic channels or between the Joint Flanners, about their practical needs for British support of
the New Zealand force in Singapore. Discussions with all the FFDA partners would also have to take account of any views the Americans might press in our overall consultations with them.
BRUNEI
4.
It is quite possible that the Sultan will come to London on his own initiative and seek discussions with Ministers here soon after the general election. If so, and depending upon its outcome,
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/I think