CONFIDENTIAL

124315

MDLOAN 6700

PERIOD.

3. EVEN IF WE DO NOT PROPOSE TO CONDUCT AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN OF ADVICE TO COMPANIES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL POSTS AND WHITEHALL DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE PROVIDING A CONSISTENT RESPONSE TO ANY ENQUIRIES FROM THEM. WE THINK IT SHOULD FOLLOW THE LINE IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ADDRESSEES' VIEWS, INCLUDING ANY POSITIVE ADVICE ON COUNTRIES WHERE COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROMISING BECAUSE TRADE IS UNLIKELY TO BE DISRUPTED BY MILITARY ACTION OR BECAUSE OF THE PROSPECT OF RECONSTRUCTION. ABOVE ALL, WE WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHETHER BRITISH COMPANIES ARE THINKING AHEAD AND MAKING SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS TO PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS. IF THERE IS A WIDESPREAD FEELING THAT THEY ARE FAILING TO DO SO, WE SHALL THINK AGAIN WHETHER SOME LOW-KEY CALL TO SENSE IS REQUIRED, THROUGH YOUR BUSINESSMENS' GROUPS AND, PERHAPS, COMET AT THIS END. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH ACTION IS NECESSARY.

4.

HURD

GRATEFUL FOR EARLY RESPONSE.

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

IRAQ/KUWAIT

LIMITED

229

ADDITIONAL

44

IRAQ/KUWAIT

(PASSED TO EMERGENCY UNIT)

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

273

MED

PAGE

2

CONFIDENTIAL

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