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VISIT BY RURITANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: ADVANCE PRESS LINE ON THE RECORD
A.
CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE
1. Secretary of State noted with satisfaction that problems over bilateral claims have been satisfactorily resolved and welcomed FM's assurance that British firms are now well placed to fulfil several of Ruritania's major civil and defence projects. [Unattributably: in particular, university hospital complex and helicopters. Value of possible orders £ x million and £ y million respectively.]
2.
They noted the success of the first Anglo-Ruritanian Round Table Conference (held April; Mr Rifkind led for UK) and agreed to hold another in London next-year. [Unattributably: HMG would like to give these a more commercial and less cultural flavour.]
3.
They agreed on need for a businesslike dialogue between East and West and in particular for the earliest possible resumption without preconditions of negotiations on nuclear arms control.
4.
They discussed ME on which there was a substantial measure of agreement. S of S stressed HMG's support for the involvement in the peace process of the Palestinians and the association of the PLO.
5. Also discussed Afghanistan (broad agreement) and Central America (each side set out its respective views).
Defensive
6.
FM did raise question of UK migration policy. S of S strongly rebutted any question of discrimination against Ruritanians and explained that UK migration procedures were currently being streamlined in a way which would greatly ease current problems faced by Ruritanians.
7.
Difficulties over CAA's insistence that Ruritanian Airways move to Gatwick were raised by FM. S of S undertook to pass on FM's representations to S of S for Transport.
B.
1.
CALL ON PM [Para 1 to be cleared with FM]
PM and FM expressed hope that PM of Ruritania would be able to pay a working visit to the UK next year. [Unattributably: autumn visit linked to lecture at IISS.]
2. PM gave an account of discussion of aid and debt problems at Summit of industrialised nations and of work being taken forward by Finance Ministers. She explained HMG's view that debt problems should be handled on a case by case basis; and stressed the UK's readiness to contribute to a supplementary fund to IDA's seventh replenishment. [Unattributably: PM said that HMG do not rule out a new Cancun-type conference but feel that the time is not yet ripe to begin the necessary careful preparations.]