2
J
except for New Zealand who appeared to favour the proposal (from what we hear however from the New Zealand High
Commission here, Australian reporting from Wellington has over emphasised their support in fact they have some reservations on the proposal). Initial reactions to the Media proposal were generally guardedly favourable.
6. Mention of these three proposals was made in the background to the PM's brief on the CHGM for her talks with Mr Fraser. We have since been given to understand by Australia House that the subjects are still under consider- ation by Australian officials and that Mr Fraser does not intend to raise them with Mrs Thatcher. However it was considered advisable, in case Mrs Thatcher wishes to raise the refugee issue herself, to send additional telegraphic briefing, and this has been done. It is considered however that following Mr Stratton's reply to Mr Cook (which is likely to be given on either 2 or 4 July) it would be advisable, particularly in the case of the racism proposals, subsequently to repeat our arguments at a high level in Canberra. UND, SAFD, SEAD agree.
29 June 1979
Encls
Vatican
J R Paterson
Commonwealth Coordination Dept
W140
233-4493
cc:
PS
UND
CAfD
PS/Mr Blaker
SEAD
SAFD
Sir A Duff
IPD
SPD
Mr Leahy
FED
NENAD
Mr Murray Mr Willson
HKGD
SAD
Rhodesia Dept
CRD
CONFIDENTIAL