C.
of refugees.
We are inclined not to include the New
Zealanders or Japanese at this stage.
5. However we would then welcome a meeting at Ministerial
level with a somewhat wider membership, e.g. including New
Zealand and Japan and possibly Germany as well, but we see
much disadvantage in trying to set this up in London where
the emergence of a Ministerial cabal would be immediately
apparent. We think it would be wiser for Ministers
concerned to arrive in Geneva half a day earlier and to
meet informally there. We see some advantage in broadening
these prior discussions in Geneva to include ASEAN countries,
though perhaps at a second stage.
6. If the Australians agree with this procedure, we might
agree in the next few days on a list of countries who could
be encouraged to arrange for their Ministers to arrive in
Geneva in time for prior consultations there. Washington,
Paris and Ottawa should discuss this with Foreign Ministries
when stressing to them the importance of an effective
officials! meeting next week. We are repeating your TUR
to these posts and Geneva.
7.
Officials could profitably discuss the questions in
your para 7 when they meet next week. We agree that poli-
tical questions will inevitably be raised at Waldheim's
conference though Waldheim's intention is clearly mainly
humanitarian. It is not yet certain that Waldheim will
chair throughout (UKMIS Geneva telegram No 254).
CONFIDENTIAL
DAS DE