17 October 1983
Secretary of State
From: Date:
Mr Whitney
Cc:
MKK0405
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
20 OCT 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
AUSTRY
Action Teken
Craolio
Lady Young
Mr Rifkind
Mr Luce
Mr Raison
PUS
sau
(426)
San 12 ms
Malment
Sir J Bullard
Mr Giffard
Mr Donald
Mr Adams
Mr Cartledge
Mr Squire
Mr Thomas
Cis
a to
до ойбра
ро
Lord N Gordon Lennox
Mr Hannay
SPD
MAED
ACDD
Defence Dept
CCD
CRD
ECD (E)
HKD
Information Dept
TRED News Dept
VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND (24-30 SEPTEMBER)
SOUTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE, SAIPAN (1-3 OCTOBER)
AND AUSTRALIA (4-10 OCTOBER)
1.
The idea of the visit sprang from the perceived need for ministerial attendance at the South Pacific Conference to demonstrate the Government's continuing interest. In addition it provided an opportunity to meet political and other leaders in Australia and New Zealand and put across the message about what has been accom- plished here since 1979 and our increasing value to the region as a political and trading partner. I believe these objectives were at least achieved to a point which justified the expenditure in time and money the visit necessarily entailed. A full list of the various political figures I met is attached.
K
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2. I am persuaded that Britain has a role to play in the South Pacific Conference which is significant and valued and is also in accord with our own interests. The total population of the 21 island entities, amounts to only some five million, but the region is likely to have increasing political and strategic importance. We share an interest with the other metropolitan powers the United States, France, Australia and New Zealand - in promoting economic development
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CONFIDENTIAL
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