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Irish Republican Army and the damage which was done by repeated criticism of the British judicial system. Mr Haughey had responded defensively.
In a brief discussion, it was pointed out that a further review would be useful on the provision of food aid to Poland. Supplies of food were likely to become critical over the winter. There had been delays in the initial uplift of food aid from the EC. Polish ports and handling facilities were having
ifficulty in coping with the inflow of meat and other products. When Dr Janusz Onyszkiewcz, the senior adviser to Solidarity, had called on the Prime Minister, he had drawn attention to the ent difficulties. Although these problems did not yet pose actical threat to the new Polish government, there was no ro for complacency.
The PRIME MINISTER, summing up this part of the discussion, said that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary in consultation with the Minister or Overseas Development and the Minister of Agriculture, icheries and Food, should review the procedures for the provisio of EC food aid to Poland, and should take account of the eerience and facilities which could be made available by the governmental organisations and charities. While sea and roansport provided the most efficient method of ensuring that batantial volume of food aid could be transported to Poland and distributed within the country, the possibility of an aff should not be excluded.
The Cabinet
-
1. Took note, with app
of the Prime Minister's summing
DENTIAL
up and invited the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, the Minister for Overseas Development and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Fed to proceed accordingly.
European Council Meeting in Strasbourg, 8/9 December
THE PRIME MINISTER said that preparations were now well in hand for the European Council meeting to be held in Strasbourg on 8/9 December. It was helpful that in the House Commons debate both major parties had made clear their opposition to Stages Two and Three of the Delors plan. Doubts were my energing in some other Member States. These reservations had been underlined by the President of the West German Bundesbank.
ssion on the Social Charter was likely to be difficult, though he attitude of the European Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan, han consistently helpful. It was essential for the EC to peach acceptable conclusions on these questions before the sh Presidency took over.
The Cabinet
2.
Took note.
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