On the other hand:-
CONFIDENTIAL
(a)
A
B
(b)
3
departure on Saturday would allow Mr Luce to attend the polo game on the previous afternoon and the State dinner in the evening (which will no doubt both be social occasions to which the Bruneis will attach
significance). Mr Cornish has advised that the dinner is less important than the State banquet on the Thursday and that Mr Luce's absence would not cause serious offence. However, he would naturally prefer Mr Luce to stay on for it. Mr Luce's participation would help to demonstrate that we take Brunei seriously.
the extra evening in Brunei would allow Mr Luce to make further useful contacts with the delegations which remain. These are likely to be the ones most interested in Brunei and most worth talking to on that account (ie the ASEANS, Japanese and Australians).
I think the balance of advantage would lie with a departure on the Friday evening, given Mr Luce's very understandable wish. to be fresh for the Hong Kong leg.
I shall submit separately a draft press release on the visit which we might aim to issue early next week.
بكسها ؟
JD N Hartland-Swann South East Asian Department
2
CONFIDENTIAL