URITY C... SSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
In short, across the face of Asia doors are opening
to new opportunities.
What is Britain's role in the Asia of the 1990's?
יות
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
x
To some extent it is defined for us by historic links
above all in Commonwealth countries. These have
evolved in recent years. [HKD to expand on Hong
Kong?] Our three biggest individual bilateral aid
programmes are in South Asia. Trade is expanding
fast especially in the Pacific rim.
on Japanese trade liberalisation].
[FED to expand
A whole new
dimension is added by the Asian communities in
Britain who total about 1.5 million and make so
valuable a contribution to British life.
We have also worked closely with our friends in Asia
against common threats:
terrorism [SAD to expand];
drugs [SAD to expand in consultation with NCAD].
Impact of new Soviet thinking in foreign affairs
still to be fully measured. Fresh approach of new US
Optimism for future. International
government.
effort will be needed for reconstruction in
Afghanistan and later in Cambodia. Encouraged by
efforts in UN and World Bank to overcome chronic
flooding in Bangladesh.
[SAD to expand].