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THEN. YOU SHOULD NOT, HOWEVER, GO BEYOND THE LINE IN PARA 3(B) ON THIS. OUR ESSENTIAL CONCERN NOW IS TO REASSURE HOST
GOVERNMENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE THE PRIME MINISTER CONTINUES TO
ATTACH TO HER VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA WITHOUT TYING OURSELVES
DOWN ON DATES.
5. AGAIN FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION ONLY, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE PRIME MINISTER TOLD PRESIDENT JAYEWARDENE, WHILE ATTENDING MRS GANDHI'S FUNERAL, THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT
SRI LANKA AT EASTER. THERE MIGHT BE SOME RISK OF A LEAK FROM
COLOMBO. IF YOU AND OTHER ADDRESSEES IN ASEAN POSTS SHOULD BE
A SKED BY HOST GOVERNMENTS ABOUT THIS YOU SHOULD STICK TO THE
LINE AT 3(B) ABOVE ADDING THAT A FINAL DECISION ON TIMING AND ITINERARY HAS YET TO BE TAKEN AND WOULD, OF COURSE, BE CONSIDERED
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S COMMITMENTS AS A WHOLE.
6. IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY THE LOCAL MEDIA ABOUT THE PRIME
MINISTER'S PLANS TO VISIT SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST ASIA YOU SHOULD
SAY THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HOPES TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
VISIT IN 1985 AND DECLINE TO BE DRAWN FURTHER.
8. FOR COLOMBO: IF ASKED YOU MAY SAY THAT THE PRIME MINISTER
REGRETS THAT SHE CANNOT YET GIVE PRESIDENT JAYEWARDENE PRECISE
DATES FOR THE VISIT AT EASTER, BUT HOPES TO DO SO IN THE
NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
HOWE
LIMITED
HEAD/HKD
HEAD/FED
HEAD/SEAD
HEAD/SAD
PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING MR WILSON
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CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO:-
SIR P CRADOCK