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relevant factor is that any early move to transfer the graves ould provoke an outcry from the widows and veterans who visited the cemetery for the first time in 1985. Mr Dalley confirmed that Mr Morland, the new Ambassador in Burma, had been briefed and that the Commission would prepare a response to the latest Burmese Note handed to Mr Fenn before his departure. (SEAD are the lead FCO Dept).
HONG KONG; FUTURE OF WAR CEMETERY
5. Mr MacKay reported that Mr Gee, Deputy Director (Outer Area) of the CWGC, had met with the Director of Urban Services in Hong Kong to discuss the possibility of arranging an agreement for the War Cemeteries. The latter had emphasised the need to consult the PRC via the liaison committee. You reinforced this point.
MALTA
6. Mr Dalley said that no more had recently been heard of the Maltese demand for the removal of the War Cemetery. It is hoped that this demand would be dropped following the improvement in Anglo/Maltese relations.
INDIA/PAKISTAN
7. Mr Dalley said that the CWGC Vice Chairman hopes to visit Pakistan and India during 1987. He confirmed that there appeared to be a certain amount of coolness on the Indian side towards the Commission but could give no reason for this. It was agreed that, apart from the Vice-Chairman's visit, the next opportunity to assess the Indian attitude would be the spring meeting of the Commission. The Commission in principle continue to favour Pakistan's reinstatement but accept that this is not realistic in present, political circumstances.
ALGERIA
8. Mr Dalley said that during a recent visit to Algeria the Deputy Director General had been told by both our Ambassador and the Australian Embassy that the time was probably right for an approach to the Algerians about a war graves agreement. This should be on the same terms already negotiated by the Germans. Mr Dalley handed over a copy of the Deputy Director General's report, together with one on his visit to Tunisia where prospects for progress over an agreement remain poor (copies attached).
SOUTH AFRICA
9.
Mr Dalley said that the Director-General will attend the opening of the South African museum at Delvin Wood on 11 November. There have however been no recent problems over South African representation although one might possibly arkise at the joint Commission meeting in Rome from 16-18 June 1987 where Mr Dalley believed the South African Ambassador was the Doyen of the CWGC Ambassadors represented in Italy. He hoped that he could be prevailed on to step down to to avoid any possible complaint or boycott by the Indians. It was also hoped that the Duke of Kent would attend the 70th anniversary meeting at the CWGC headquarters in1987 but no problems over the presence of the South African Ambassador were anticipated.
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