CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
6. But there can be little doubt that Kohl's main
preoccupation will be INF. The picture is complicated by
the prospect of the junior coalition partner, Genscher's
FDP doing very badly in regional elections in Land Hesse
on 25 Spetember. In the rup-up to this poll, Genscher is
attempting to revive his party's popularity by
demonstrating a flexible conciliatory approach on INF.
r:
7.
On the Community, the debate on the 1984 budget has
started in the Bundestag (Kohl's first major challenge on
the economy since his election). He will be acutely
aware that his plans to reduce public expenditure could
be frustrated by the need to spend more on the Community.
Thus, the German objective in the run-up to Athens is,
like ours, to rein in wasteful Community expenditure.
HANDLING OF THE MEETING
8. After thanking Kohl for his invitation, the Prime
Minister might start with an account of her visit to the
Netherlands and to BFG. On the latter, the Prime
Minister will wish to underline our commitment to
maintain BAOR at 55,000 (our Brusssels Treaty
obligation). Discussion could then move naturally to
defence co-operation. The Summit on 9 November will be
the opportunity for going into more detail on equipment
collaboration but, particularly as the Defence Ministers
of the UK, the FRG and France will have met earlier on
21 September, the Prime Minister could mention our hopes
for co-operation with the Germans on the future combat
aircraft (Brief No ...).
CONFIDENTIAL
19.