CONFIDENTIAL
African resentment at exclusion from the tour, but the risks seemed out-weighed by the opportunities for the Prime Minister to influence black African thinking at this important juncture. Such a visit would be welcomed by the US Administration and
our Community partners. Kenya was an obvious choice as our closest friend in black Africa. Mr Mugabe's current chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as Zimbabwe's close ties with the United Kingdom made it a strong second candidate. inclusion of Mozambique would be a clear demonstration of our support for peaceful solutions to the region's problems and would assist the process of strengthening President Machel's relationship with the West.
5.
The
The sub-Committee noted that the Prime Minister had
This would balance agreed in principle to visit Israel (1). her visits to Jordan and Egypt. It would have to be fitted in between Mr Peres' visit in January and the agreed rotation with Mr Shamir by October 1986. In principle this meant Easter or
Whitsun.
6.
The sub-Committee endorsed as the third priority the
The visit would sustain the proposed visit to Spain (4). momentum towards closer relations. Spain was at an important stage of its relations with the European Community.
There is
to be a referendum on Spain's accession to NATO during the year. If the visit were not possible in 1986 it should be a leading
contender for 1987.
7.
The sub-Committee attached rather less importance to the proposed visit to Norway (3). Nevertheless, it noted that Norway did not take part in the principal European ventures and needed dialogue and encouragement to keep up to the mark,
There was a British national particularly with regard to NATO. interest involved here, given our commitments of mobile forces to Norway's defence, and our North Sea cooperation was also important. Equally, a visit to Denmark would help remind that country of its defence obligations. As to Finland, a visit would reciprocate in attention those by the Finnish President and Prime Minister respective
the past 12 months.
Br
C
18.