CONFIDENTIAL
conventional side, Defence Ministers have renewed contact
and the prospects for collaboration on defence
procurement are under active consideration.
iii) Two issues of particular concern to President
Mitterrand will be the continued French involvement in
Chad and in the MNF in Lebanon. The meeeting will
provide a useful opportunity to discuss the prospects for
the future.
1.
iv) Bilateral Issues. The Prime Minister and President
agreed at the last Summit that there would be close and
regular contact between their representatives. Under the
aegis of the Cabinet Office, representatives of Whitehall
Departments have met regularly to review the contacts
with the French which have proved substantial in content,
level and frequency. Summit participants will wish to
review the results of a year of effort towards improving
and adding further substance to the bilateral
relationship. The Summit will provide both sides with a
further opportunity to give political impetus to those
issues which require it as well as discussing issues of
common interest, particularly where collaborative
possibilities exist.
5. These discussions will take place against the backdrop
of the deterioriation in East/West Relations, the
problems inherent in the transatlantic relationship and
the general outlook for the world economy. It will also
be the first time the Prime Minister and President
CONFIDENTIAL