SECRET
14. A visit by the Secretary of State to Israel would be seen by the Israelis as an important gesture: its timing and presentation will have to be considered carefully. For this reason it might be better to stage the visit to Israel first, as a separate operation in say September 1984, which would be announced at the same time as visits to Syria and Saudi Arabia, but be separated from the Arab part of the tour by up to a week. This would take account of both Israeli and Arab sensibilities.
The Department, will advise
further on this 'decoupling' nearer the time.
Other Visits
15. The above engagements, multilateral meetings and visits that may have to be undertaken at short notice are not likely to leave much time for many other visits overseas by the Secretary of State in 1984. However, a number of suggestions are listed in the attached paper. No decisions on them are required at present, although the visits to France and the Netherlands might usefully take place before Easter.
28 November 1983
SBGith
E H B Gibbs
Protocol Department
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