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by a small group of businessmen. The Nigerians have welcomed the proposal but in the absence (until 21 November) of a Foreign Minister, it has not been possible to undertake further planning with them. As matters stand, the High Commission in Lagos have proposed to the Nigerians a visit of about 3 days in the week beginning 9 January, and the UK delegation to CHGM were to mention the visit with the new Foreign Minister. In addition to the visit to Nigeria, the Secretary of State has agreed to consider other possible stopovers, in particular one of the prosperous and stable francophone countries. Of these, the Ivory Coast is the best choice in present circumstances although a Lagos/Abidjan visit would repeat Lord Carrington's itinerary in March 1981. The medium and long-term economic prospects for the Ivory Coast are good and a stopover of up to a day in Abidjan would be worthwhile and would help consolidate President Houphouet- Boigny's official visit here in July. There are good political reasons for a visit to Senegal, but the business prospects are poor. Mr Fletcher (DTI Minister) is visiting Cameroon in the new year with a team of businessmen. Further, the pro-Argentine vote on the Falklands in the UNGA earlier this year, despite a promise to abstain, does not provide suitable background to a visit by the Secretary of State. Sir Geoffrey Howe went to Gabon when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Fletcher is to go there as well.
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5. As to other possible additions, we do not think that the countries North of the Sahara merit an early visit by the Secretary of State when he is to be accompanied by businessmen. Visits to South Africa and Angola which had been considered as possible additions to the visit to Nigeria would probably better be left until 1984/85.
6. The Department will be submitting separately shortly on the West African visit.
Far East
7.
As to possible overseas tours during the Easter period, the balance would seem to be in favour of the Far East, with Japan as the centrepiece. In 1981 we initiated annual political consultations designed to show attention to Japan and involve her in Western decision-making; it was the Secretary of State's turn to go to Japan this autumn. A visit during the Easter recess would give him the opportunity to meet the new Japanese Government (elections are expected in December or January) before the Economic Summit.
Mr Tebbit is planning a trip to Japan either for the week beginning 19 March or the following week. But the Embassy in Tokyo are satisfied that neither would be too close to the Secretary of State's proposed visit.
8. The Secretary of State should also go to Korea if offence is not to be given, especially as the Prime Minister was unable to include Korea in her Far East tour of September, 1982. A visit would help mark the centenary of US/Korean diplomatic relations. The announcement of a visit might also be seen in Korea as a supportive gesture in the aftermath of the KAL disaster and the Rangoon bombing. (President Chun has been invited to visit the UK but is not expected to take up this invitation during the first half of 1984 and may not even do so during the second half.)
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