CONFIDENTIAL
I
further meeting on the pattern of the Belgrade meeting which began in Madrid on 11 November 1980.
4.
In the meantime, three subsidiary experts' meetings
were agreed and have taken place. They concerned the peaceful settlement of disputes (in Montreux), a 'Scientific Forum' in Hamburg, and the promotion of
cooperation in the Mediterranean (in Valletta). These meetings, though dealing with topics of some importance, are not central to the CSCE process or to the furtherance
of détente.
5. HMG considers that progress in CSCE can make a useful contribution to stability in Europe and, together with its partners in the Nine and NATO, will continue to work
to this end. But Soviet actions in Afghanistan and the continuing failure to respect basic human rights in the Soviet Union and certain countries of Eastern Europe could
clearly and adversely effect the prospects for success of the Madrid review meeting. The UK's attitude remains that as
at Belgrade emphasis in Madrid must be laid on the Review of Implementation. Respect for the ten 'Principles guiding relations between participating states' is fundamental. Success at Madrid is not to be measured by the number of new proposals adopted ostensibly for the development of détente but without regard to their relevance in the present climate of East/West relations.
6.
Subject to developments in East/West relations, and our assessment of the course of the Madrid meeting, we intend to work for a mandate on negotiations for new confidence-building measures (CBMs) which would make a genuine contribution to military security in Europe: and to seek improvements particularly in the implementation of the Helsinki provisions concerning human rights, human contacts and information.
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17.