1
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Mr Hickman (SWPD)
MR Wright
(MED)
Mr Weston SEED
Mr Thomas SWED
Mr Carless (LAD)
Mr Cox (WIAD)
SECRET
Mr Preston (Caribbean Dept)
PIA Des 24/9
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DEFENCE REVIEW: CONSULTATIONS
1.
Ministers decided at OPD 6n 18 September that
between now and the Election negotiating briefs should be prepared for consultations with our allies on the basis of OPD (74) 23. If a Labour Government is returned OPD would seek to make final recommendations to the Cabinet soon after the Election and consultations would start thereafter. We shall probably be discussing with the MOD later this week mechanics for consultations and I have been asked to provide some preliminary advice for the PUS asosoon as possible.
2.
whom
Assuming that a Labour Government will wish to announce the results of the Defence Review at the latest in February, when the Annual statement on Defence Estimates is published, we shall need to complete our consultations with the Americans we propose to consult about our Defence Review plans worldwide before speaking to any of our other allies by about mid November. We should then have about six to ten weeks at the outside for consultation with other NATO allies about NATO matters and other allies about non-NATO commitments, before Ministers have to take final decisions.
3.
I should be grateful, by close of play today. for any preliminary comments which you feel able to make at this stage about the form. level and time- table for negotiations with our allies over the non- NATO commitments with which you are concerned. These consultations will need to be essentially a joint operation with the MOD. I have already suggested to the PUS, as a basis for discussion, that in the case of these non-NATO commitments we should be prepared to send emissaries at Ministerial and/or official level as necessary to the areas or capitals concerned to conduct the negotiations. although we should also take advantage of any Ministerial visits to this country which might be already planned. Ministerial responsibilities might be shared between Ministers of State in the FCO and MOD. I should be glad to know whether you agree with this general concept.
.4. It would be very helpful to know any special
factors or considerations affecting your area. I have the following initial comments myself (related to the list of non-NATO commitments in the flysheet to the Paper on these commitments for an incoming Labour Government). We shall need to take account of the
SPORET
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