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DECISION AS POSSIBLE ON PHASE II: I HOPE THAT TIMING CAN BE ACCELERATED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEEDS ON THE GROUND. IF WE SLIP BEYOND THE TIMETABLE I HAVE ALREADY SUGGESTED WE RISK SERIOUSLY REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PHASE II ADVICE AND MAKING LIFE UNNECESSARILY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE WHOM WE EXPECT TO FOLLOW IT. (I DISCUSSED THIS IN MORE DETAIL WITH DENNE.)
6. A FURTHER IMPORTANT POINT OF TIMING WILL BE THE NEED TO GIVE POSTS THE TIME TO PUT THE ADVICE OUT THROUGH THE WARDENS BEFORE ANY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS MEANS ALLOWING 48 HOURS (MORE IF YOU SEND INSTRUCTION DURING THE ISLAMIC WEEKEND) BETWEEN RECEIPT OF TELEGRAM AT POST AND TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENT. MOST PEOPLE HERE HEARD 27 NOVEMBER STATEMENT FIRST ON BBC OR SAW IT IN THE PRESS. THE INTERVAL IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO ENABLE ME TO INFORM THE BAHRAIN GOVERNMENT.
7. IN THE LIGHT OF THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO ANY
POSSIBLE EVACUATION FROM BAHRAIN WE PROPOSE ADDING TO THE TEXT OF
ANY PHASE II ADVICE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION WORDING SUCH AS QUOTE
IN CONSIDERING HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS ADVICE YOU WILL NEED TO BEAR IN MIND THAT, IN THE EVENT OF HOSTILITIES IN THE REGION, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO ARRANGE EARLY EVACUATION FROM
BHARAIN UNQUOTE. GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THIS WOULD BE
ACCEPTABLE.
SHEPHERD
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