CONFIDENTIAL
5. The OCSC appear to have it in mind that proposals should shortly be put to Ministers. It seems premature at this stage to do this. I believe that, given conflicting interests and the lack of uniformity in Departmental responses, we should try to persuade them to try harder to concert views at official level. If different Departments adopt their own criteria, I would expect problems with the Irish and others. Should we not try to concert a common FCO position before this is taken further by the OCSC? Subject to your views I would favour sending a letter to the OCSC setting out FCO concerns. The attached Departmental draft covers my own concerns, but addresses issues of more concern to your Department than to RID. It might be more appropriate for ECD (I) to lead on this. Could we have an early word about your own views and discuss who should lead on this question? It might be appropriate for your Department to arrange a meeting to be attended by representatives of all concerned FCO Departments with a view to agreeing a draft to the OCSC.
GR ARCHER
ID3174
CONFIDENTIAL
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