1) Mr Manis Thanks. Yes pl. write as proposed.
to note that pus didn't mine
Saniman. PS/Rus les me RESTRICTED
It was due
136
drs Banks Jones agend
J41122)
I shall haw
a conscious decision-
an views on
Panis/ Hong Kong to bush for cond
Juis
was not
イト
to lack of time.
unite
to
OF THE QUAI D'ORSAY, FCO, 7 DECEMBER 1992
ہیں
ille
RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN THE PÚS AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
we Sharid
reet
(it anything)
do next.
115
Present
PUS
Mr Simmons, PS/PUS
Mr Upton, WED
M Serge Boidevaix
HKD 384/$12.
M Dorin, French Ambassador
M Bouchard, French Embassy
EC Issues
1. The PUS suggested that a general exchange of views would
suffice, because the Foreign Affairs Council would be
discussing these issues in great detail on the same day. M Boidevaix agreed; the Presidency document submitted for
Edinburgh was a good basis for discussion there but it was
"too juridical". Moreover, it contained certain ambiguities especially over the problem of Danish ratification of
Maastricht. The PUS said that the Presidency had to negotiate
an agreement which the Danes could accept, but which was also
and did not re-open compatible with
the Maastricht Treaty.
It also had to be time-limited, specific to Denmark, and must not require ratification in Parliaments. A decision by the European Council, even if somewhat artificial, could be legally binding and at the same time avoid legal problems and
re-ratification risks. This should be enough to satisfy the
Social Democratic opposition in Denmark, although not the
extremist elements who insisted on an opt-out from European
Union. The UK and France had rejected this alternative.
K
-
2. M Boidevaix asked about the prospects for ratification in
the UK. The PUS explained Government difficulties and the likely parliamentary timetable, in some detail. M Boidevaix found it especially significant that MPs had tabled some 400
amendments for a two-clause Bill. He asked what would be the
impact on the UK of a second referendum in Denmark on
Maastricht. The PUS replied that in the short-term it was the
outcome to the Edinburgh Summit which would have a great
r071270
RESTRICTED