CONFIDENTIAL
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HEAD OF MISSION CONFERENCE, BANGKOK, DECEMBER 1983
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1. We need, I think, to determine what the coverage and theme of this conference is to be and who should attend. The site I think elects itself. I have discussed with both Sir Peter Moon and Mr Staples and the former is not all that keen on playing host, given that he will still be very much a new boy in the area, while Mr Staples would be content for it to take place in Bangkok provided this were in the second of the available weeks, ie the week beginning 13 December.
2. As for the theme,the proposal that has been approved is that the conference should cover South East Asia and the Far East. We have described it as a timely opportunity.to take stock of our commercial and political interests in this important region.
3.
I ought to say perhaps at this point that the survivers of the January 1980 conference are generally agreed that its coverage was too wide and that some of the participants found that there was very little for them to contribute. The agenda was in itself compact enough comprising three broadheads as follows:
i)
British interests in South East Asia and how to further them;
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ii)
Indo-China;
iii) ASEAN
In fact, however, out of four half day sessions one was taken up with an expose by Mr Blaker of the new government's policies and with Afghanistan; and the last was devoted to a discussion of conclusions which, I remember, was somewhat rambling and incoherent. Less than two half days were devoted to the agenda as such. Neither Afghanistan, nor new (Conservative) government orientations, is likely to take up time next December. But I think
we need to decide whether the formal agenda should again be focused primarily on British interests in South East Asia and prospects for ASEAN or whether Far Eastern matters should also be directly addressed this time.
CONFIDENTIAL
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