CONFIDENTIAL
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28. In answer to Tengku Rithauddeen, Dr Owen said that we had How not yet made a decision on the sale of Harriers to China. did Malaysia view the proposal? Tengku Rithauddeen said that China lagged behind Russia militarily; sales of the Harrier
Dr Owen said the decision could help balance the two forces. was not easy. We wished to restrict sales to defensive
We should in equipment, and Harrier was a border-line case. any event wish to balance our political, defence and commercial relations with China and to ensure, therefore, that she did not The Harrier deal restrict purchases only to defence equipment.
would certainly have an effect on our relations with Russia; but we would not, of course, allow Moscow to dictate our foreign policy.
29.
At his departure Tengku Rithauddeen reiterated his invitation for Dr Owen to visit South East Asia as soon as he could find a convenient time.
27 November 1978
South East Asian Department
Distribution
PS
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Luard
PS/Mr Rowlands
PS/PUS
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Murray
Miss Brown
Mr Fretwell
Mr Weir
Mr Mansfield
MAED
EID(E)
UND HK&GDU CSAD
HM Representatives:-
KUALA LUMPUR (by teleletter)
SINGAPORE
JAKARTA
MANILA
BANGKOK
BRUNEI
HANOI
VIENTIANE
RANGOON
PEKING
MOSCOW
WASHINGTON
TOKYO
CANBERRA WELLINGTON
/EAD
CONFIDENTIAL