CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 031630Z MAR 82
TO IMMEDIATE KUALA LUMPUR
TELEGRAM NUMBER 105 OF 3 MARCH
AND TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR, HONG KONG
YOUR DELNO 101:
UK/MALAYSIA AIR SERVICES
1. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THE MALAYSIANS THAT EXISTING COMMITMENTS
RULE OUT THE WEEK BEGINNING 15 MARCH FOR US. OUR COUNTER-
PROPOSAL IS THAT THE TALKS SHOULD BE HELD EITHER IN KUALA LUMPUR
OR LONDON FROM 22 MARCH. FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION, LONDON MIGHT
BE MARGINALLY BETTER IF THE TALKS PROVE DIFFICULT AND WE HAVE
SOME PREFERENCE FOR THAT VENUE. AT A BUSY TIME OF YEAR THE DOT
ARE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY OTHER DATES BEFORE THE NEW MAS EQUIPMENT
IS INTRODUCED.
2. OUR TEAM WILL BE LED BY STEVENS (ASSISTANT SECRETARY, CAIR
DIVIAION, DOT). HE WILL HAVE BEEN IN PEKING FROM 12-18 MARCH,
AND CAN THIS QUITE CONVENIENTLY COME ON TO MALAYSIA. IF THE
MALAYSIANS SHOULD ARGUE THAT WE ARE DOWN-GRADING THE LEADERSHIP
OF THE UK TEAM, YOU COULD POINT OUT THAT OVER THE PAST THREE
YEARS ALL BILATERAL AIR SERVICE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OTHER
ASEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN LED ON OUR SIDE AT ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OR PRINCIPAL LEVEL.
3. AS STEVENS LEAVES LONDON FOR HONG KONG AND PEKING AT THE
WEEK-END, IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO HAVE A MALAYSIAN RESPONSE
BY FRIDAY 5 MARCH.
CARRINGTON
LIMITED
MAED SEAD нкадо MR ADAMS
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CONFIDENTIAL
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