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continue to aim at realistic progress towards arms limitation in
the Indian Ocean. Any such arrangements would clearly require
the participation of the US and Soviet Governments; so we support
the suggestion made by the Prime Minister of Australia that the
US and Soviet Governments should consult together on the possibility
of mutual restraint in the Indian Ocean.
39. Oman is fighting against a professionally organised and
externally supported rebellion which threatens the stability of the
Arabian Peninsula, an area of great economic importance to Britain
and from which we receive a lot of our oil. We do not think that
it would be right in present circumstances to make any change in
the forces we station there. We shall, however, make some economies
as our need for staging facilities at Masirah declines, and shall
continue to keep the level of our military assistance to the
Sultan under review.
40. We propose, in present circumstances, to retain forces in
Cyprus, though at reduced strength. In order to ease the severe
accommodation problems that have arisen within the Sovereign Base
Areas (SBAs) since the events of last year, the squadrons of
Lightnings and Hercules permanently based on the island, together
with the Vulcan strike aircraft stationed there in support of CENTO,
have been withdrawn and replaced by smaller numbers of aircraft on
detachment from the United Kingdom. For the same reason there will
be some reduction in Army personnel.
41.
We will retain our membership of the Central Treaty Organisation
(CENTO), but will no longer declare any forces to the Organisation:
the CENTO-assigned Canberras and Nimrods will be withdrawn from Malta
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