CONFIDENTIAL
anything better for Singapore then a transitional period for
the gradual application of the cormon external tariff.
The Attitude of Singapore
7. Two distinct elements can be discerned in Singapore's
attitude to British membership of the Community. In the first
place, there has been anxiety that British entry would necessitato
a withdrawal from East of Suez and result in a loss of interest
in the Far East. We have been able to reassure the Singapore
Government that our application for membership and our attitude
to the maintenance of a presence in the Far East are completely
separate issues,
8. The Singapore Government also appear to see the possibility
of association with an enlarged Community as a great opportunity
to find new markets for the products of their rapidly
developing manufacturing industries. We have had to explain
to the Singapore Government that, for the reasons given in
paragraph 3 above we do not regard association as negotiable.
The reaction of the Singapore Government to the idea of a
trade agreement has not been enthusiastic. They feel they
would have fow cards to play in negotiations with an enlarged
Community. There is, unfortunately, some truth in this.
CONFIDENTIAL
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