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5 Jan 2018
CONFIDENTIAL
1
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
FWS 1/14
DIPLOMATIC REPORT No. 575/70
FAREWELL TO. THE LION CITY
General Distribution
SINGAPORE
2 October, 1970
The British High Commissioner in Singapore' to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
SUMMARY
The pitfalls and temptations in accounting for one's stewardship. Dealing with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew; (Paragraphs. 1-6.)
Britain's future relations with Singapore. The internal and external effects of prosperity. (Paragraphs 7-13.)
The difficulties and compensations of representing Britain in Singapore. (Paragraphs 14-19.) -
C
(Confidential) Sir,
Singapore,
2 October, 1970.
To the extent that your predecessors gave me any directive at all when they sent me to this post in January 1968 it was that I should try to keep relations with Singapore smooth and friendly during the delicate period when, against our earlier pledges, we were in the process of withdrawing our military forces from here by the end of 1971. I was told to try to keep the boat from rocking.
2. I am now shortly to leave Singapore and I suppose that in accordance with the usual custom I am expected to give an account of my stewardship. I do this with reluctance, because I am, I hope, by now sufficiently experienced in the ways of the world to recognise the foibles of human nature, which impel all of us to exaggerate our successes and to draw a discreet veil over our failures.
3.
2
CONFIDENTIAL
20729-574 11345-79
A
Ilh.
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