and the UAE.
SECRET UK EYES A
The UK has continued to avoid too close a public
lignment with US activities in the Region.
THE MEDITERRANEAN
NORTH AFRICA AND THE NEAR EAST
-
11. Defence effort in the region remains targeted at those nations whose stability underlines their importance in an
inherently volatile region and at countries whose pro-Western (or
at least neutral) stances encourage further defence effort.
Although poor economies have traditionally presented few
opportunities for defence sales and LSP in the Maghreb, there are
fresh signs of improvements in our defence relationships Or
opportunities for such - within the region. An increase in ships
visits and the successful conduct of Exercise MINIBUS in Morocco
reflect a steadily developing relationship which may hold some
potential for the development of training areas in the future.
The visit of CNS Algeria to the UK was a welcome initiative and,
taken with the background of social, political and economic
reforms being vigorously pursued by President Chadli and an
increasingly pro-Western attitude, may trigger the realisation of
Algeria's long-anticipated sales potential. More important, her
position as the leading, most influential, member of the Arab
Maghreb Union (AMU) and her long-term economic potential based on
hydrocarbon resources identify Algeria as a nation of future
strategic importance to the West at which appropriate UK defence
interest and resources should be directed.
12.
In contrast, the maverick Libya remains as unpredictable as
ever. The as yet undetermined threat of Libyan chemical weapon development continues to cause concern, as do enhancements to the
offensive capability of the air force. Despite Quadhafi's
reduced public support for terrorism over the year, Libya remains
an unquantifiable thorn in the side of Mediterranean stability
and fully justifies its 3* rating in the COS Strategic Priority
List.
13.
The success of CDS's visit to Egypt this year, and of General Shenaf's return visit to the UK, marked a turning point in the previously cool relationships with this country. As a result, and although still at an early stage in negotiations,
SECRET UK EYES A
5