UNCLASSIFIED
135466
MDLIAN 3434
LORD GLENARTHUR: WELL, IT'S A FULL LETTER, A VERY FULL LETTER AND IT DESERVES A VERY FULL AND CAREFUL REPLY. I SHALL STUDY THE LETTER AGAIN WITH GREAT CARE AND RESPOND TO IT FULLY. THE IMPORTANT THING, AS I'VE SAID IS THAT THE PRESSURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
UPON THOSE WHOSE ORIGINAL RESPONSIBILITY THE REFUGEE PROBLEM
·
IS, IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO TAKE THAT FORWARD WITH THEM THROUGH USING SUPPORT OF OTHER COUNTIRES AS WELL, AND
WITH THE AGENCIES THAT LOOK AFTER THEM. BUT I'D LIKE TO RESPOND FULLY TO MRS FAN, AND THAT I SHALL DO.
(QUESTION : BUT WOULD YOU CONSIDER REVISING THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY?)
LORD GLENARTHUR : WELL,
THAT'S NOT JUST A MATTER FOR US TO CONCERN
OURSELVES WITH. IT AFFECTS OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL, AND
I SHALL LIKE TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE LETTER, ALL IT CONTAINS AND THAT I SHALL DO.
(QUESTION : DO YOU FORESEE ANY BREAKTHROUGH IN THE DEFENCE TALKS BY THE END OF MARCH, AND WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGREE TO INCREASE ITS SHARE?)
LORD GLENARTHUR : WELL, AS YOU KNOW, THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENTS TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE AT THE MOMENT, AND I DON'T THINK YOU'D
EXPECT ME TO ANTICIPATE THE RESULT. WHAT I AM QUITE CONFIDENT OF THOUGH, IT THAT BOTH SIDES WISH TO SEE A SETTLEMENT, AN AGREEMENT ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY ARE WORKING, BOTH OF THEM, VERY HARD TO THAT END.
ENDS.
WILSON
YYYY
MAIN
102
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DISTRIBUTION
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LEGAL ADVISERS
PS
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
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