DICATION
:d.
ING
75
DRAFT
To:-
LETTER
John Gilbert Esq MP Minister of State Ministry of Defence
..in Confidence
Type 1 +
From Mr Judd
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
DOILEA
I wrote to you on 2 February about the then proposed
visit by two SAS officers to the Sudan to look at problems
of planning, budgeting and organisation involved in
expanding the Sudanese Special Force to include an anti-
hijacking capability. I made clear that I did not want
the SAS to become involved directly or indirectly in any
wider security operations at that stage.
I understand that the visit went very well. The SAS
team ascertained, that the Sudanese long term requirement
is for the selection, training and organisation of a small
SAS type force of company size. The team however also
identified an immediate requirement for the creation
of an effective anti-terrorist Special Task Group in time
for the OAU Foreign Ministers meeting and subsequent
Heads of State Summit Conference which are to be held in
Khartoum from 7 to 21 July.
It is
I believe that this requirement is valid and necessary
and that considerable political credit will be gained if
we can provide the necessary training assistance.
clearly in our interests to ensure that the Sudanese are
as well prepared as possible to provide necessary
protection for President Sadat, and other moderate African
Heads of Government. The threat to Sadat and by
association to Nimeiri is particularly strong in the wake
of the Jerusalem visit.
/I
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