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give details of all our proposed withdrawals from specific commitments
overseas. But I am clear that the statement should refer to our
intention to contract our world-wide role and concentrate on NATO,
and I should like it to specify the ending of at least some of the
non-NATO commitments. In some cases our decisions will be no
surprise to the governments concerned and a statement timed for
3 December would leave open the option (which we do not need to settle
now) of an approach to them through diplomatic channels a few days
before so that our decisions could be incorporated into the statement.
I am sending copies of this minute to the other members of
OPD, and the Chief Whip and Sir John Hunt.
11 November 1974
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Hw
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