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CBF. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE PRESENT INTENTION THAT THERE SHOULD ONLY BE TWO MORE CBFS AFTER THE PRESENT INCUMBENT WHO, AS YOU KNOW, IS DUE TO BE REPLACED IN SPRING 1992. THE TWO OPTIONS ARE THEREFORE TO MAKE A CHANGE NEXT YEAR OF WHEN THE NEXT CHANGE OF CBF IS MADE, PRESUMABLY AROUND THE END OF 1994. THIS IS TOO CLOSE TO 1997 FOR COMFORT. IT THEREFORE SEEMS TO ME SENSIBLE TO PLAN TO MAKE THIS CHANGE WHEN THE PRESENT CBF IS REPLACED NEXT YEAR.
8.
THIS CHANGE WOULD OF COURSE REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE II OF THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS. IN THE LIGHT OF OUR RECENT EXPERIENCE, IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR THIS
PROCESS. IT FOLLOWS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A DECISION SOON.
9.
NOTHING IN THIS TELEGRAM SHOULD BE TAKEN AS ANY CRITICISM OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CBF OR HIS PREDECESSORS, IN OR OUT OF EXCO. FAR FROM IT. DURING MY PERIOD OF OFFICE, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN MEN OF HIGH CALIBRE, WHO HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH ALL THE SUPPORT I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR. BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE.
10.
GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS.
WILSON
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MR WYE, RAD
MISS BROOKS, LEGAL ADVISERS
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SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
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