CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
and on ways of influencing the peace process. The French
appear to have had second thoughts about the sale of
super Etendards to the Iraqis; we should express our
concern for the Gulf if the sale went ahead.
11.
The Prime Minister will no doubt wish to discuss
briefly the world economy with an eye to the London
Economic Summit next June.
Anglo-French Relations
12. At the last Summit the Prime Minister and President
Mitterrand agreed on closer contacts exercise between
British and French officials.
The exercise revealed an
already wide-ranging set of official contacts which has
been further expanded, and deepened, including in the
Community sphere. Progress should be reviewed and the
Joint Report examined. In the past year few
Anglo-French differences (no-passport excursions apart)
have been the subject of public polemics. This may be
partly due to the improved bilateral atmosphere since
M. Mitterrand came to power. But the closer contacts
exercise itself aims to keep the temperature down, and,
more positively, to identify and build on areas of common
ground. The Prime Minister will wish to endorse the
objective of fostering the habit of consultation, and
where possible, co-ordination on the widest practicable
range of issues at all levels. President Mitterrand has
formal invitation been asked whether he would accept to pay a State Visit
to the UK next year (the 80th anniversary of the Entente
Cordiale).
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CONFIDENTIAL