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IDANCE FOR BRIEFING FOR PM'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON,
23-25 FEBRUARY
Format
1.
Because of the bulk of the briefing and the need for
detail (see below), briefs should not be in the normal format
of a single PS letter. PS/No 10 has asked for a steering
letter covering individual briefs on separate subjects in the form of background and Points to Make.
2.
President Clinton seems to be a glutton
for detail. The Prime Minister will wish to be able to match
his grasp.
The briefing will therefore need to include a
carefully judged amount of detailed technical background eg on
GATT, the terms and negotiating history of the Blair House
Agreement; and the equivalent on Hong Kong/China/MFN.
Additional subjects
3.
It is possible that President Clinton or others in Washington might raise other issues. In particular,
Libya/Lockerbie, Iran and UNSC reform. PS/No 10 has therefore
asked for separate briefing on such current issues on a single
sheet of background and Points to Make which could be
available for the Prime Minister if required at the time.
Economic/Financial issues
4.
The Prime Minister will also wish to discuss the
dollar/yen/ERM, which he has already signalled to President
'Clinton as a subject for discussion. ERD should liaise with
the Treasury to provide a full briefing on these aspects in a
separate letter to No 10.
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