1.
CONFIDENTIAL
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DSR 11C
of trying to contain Soviet influence in the Third
World by making Third World countries feel
wanted, and thereby reducing their incentive
to look for other patrons.
12.
These advantages are not crucial to our interests but
they help. The Soviet Union would no doubt be delighted
to be involved in such a voluntary association of nations
ranging across the political spectrum; and France under
Mitterand is making more of the Franco-African summit,
though France remains firmly at the centre of the
arrangements and determines their shape. More generally,
the Commonwealth is an advertisement for the strength
and flexibility of the Western as opposed to the Soviet
It also provides
approach to international relations.
support and encouragement
particularly through the
Association
M
to its
work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
members in the maintenance of democratic systems:
though this is not decisive look at Ghana.
Disadvantages of the Commonwealth to Britain
14.
(i)
The disadvantages of the Commonwealth include:
Commonwealth meetings, particularly CHGMs,
take up a great deal of Ministers' and
officials' time: CHGM takes up twice
as much time as any comparable meeting
attended by the Prime Minister.
/(ii)