DRAFT
FROM:
PS
>
TO:
PS/No 10
CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER BY US AMBASSADOR SEITZ
Ambassador Seitz will call on the Prime Minister on
20 February to discuss the Prime Minister's visit to
Washington. Mr Seitz last called on 20 November.
Agenda for the Prime Minister's visit
The Prime Minister will wish to stress to Mr Seitz the
importance we attach to this first meeting with President Clinton. Apart from building a personal relationship, we see
the visit as an opportunity to frame the agenda for future
discussions. The Prime Minister may like to take Mr Seitz
through the agreed agenda for the talks (Washington telno 313,
enclosed). We shall be submitting full briefing on all these subjects on 22 February; but particular points which the Prime Minister may like to highlight to Mr Seitz are as follows.
Northern Ireland
We shall want to ensure that an announcement of a US
fact-finding mission to Northern Ireland does not emerge
either before or immediately after the Prime Minister's
meeting with President Clinton (Washington telno 344, also
enclosed). We would prefer it to be announced by the
Administration a week or so later. The Prime Minister will
wish to emphasise the importance that we attach to this
timing. Meanwhile we are in touch with the Americans about a
text which will not go down badly here. The Prime Minister
might say:
Understand that President Clinton intends to invite
Speaker Foley to lead a fact-finding mission to Northern Ireland. We attach importance to delaying the
announcement of this mission until a week or so after my
visit.
Page 60Page 61