CONFIDENTIAL
5.
As far as the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand are concerned we cannot deny that the RN have arranged an excellent programme. I should be grateful however if PTD could comment on the omission of the Gilbert Islands which (as I recall) are due to achieve independence next year. The Gilberts have been excluded because of uncertainty over the date of independence. If we can give the RN a firm date it should be possible to adjust the programme to fit in a visit to coincide with independence.
6. The proposals for the South East Asia region strike me as generally satisfactory but as far as South Asia is concerned I think India should be included.
7.
On present plans West Africa and South America will be covered by a separate deployment in the Spring of 1979. The Middle East seems to me to be properly looked after and NENAD will wish to note that the RN are keeping their promise to visit Latakia.
8. I should be grateful for the comments by the close of play on 21 December. I propose to reply welcoming RN's ideas generally quering the omission of:
I
Kenya
II
III
The Gilbert Islands India.
I should be grateful to know of any other countries which you think should be included on the itinerary.
9.
You will
There is another point which will need to be pursued separately. see that the nuclear powered submarine is scheduled to leave the group before it transits the Suez Canal. This suggests that there is no prospect of us persuading the Egyptians to allow a SSN through the canal. The Australians might welcome the opportunity of exercising with a SSN and generally the operational value of the deployment would be increased if an SSN accompanied the surface ships throughout.
10.
As these proposals for an extensive out of (NATO) area deployment may cause a few eyebrows to be raised in Brussels it is unlikely that we shall succeed in persuading the MOD to extend the deployment. If you have vital additions would you please consider possible deletions as well.
11.
If you need more time to consider the matter I will send an interim reply on 23 December.
20 December 1978
CC
Mr Richards Mr Janvrin
Colin A. Mann
C A Munro
Defence Department
E319
233 5197