TNAG-0115-FCO40-151-Departmental-briefs-for-Commonwealth-Prime-Minister-s-and-ot-1969 — Page 85

CONFIDENTIAL

CIRCULAR

PA

ANGLO/JAPANESE MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS

HK

22

The next round of the regular Anglo/Japanese consultations, between the Secretary of State and the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Aichi, is to take place on 1 and 2 May. There will be ministerial sessions on the afternoon of 1 May, and on the morning and possibly the afternoon also of 2 May. There will be prelimi- nary talks between officials on the morning of 1 May.

2. I attach the agenda agreed with the Japanese, with an indi- cation of which side will be taking the lead on each item. I have also indicated the Departments which I think would wish to be responsible for preparing the briefs on the various items.

3.

Priefs should be in the form of talking points and background (see the attached proforma). In the light of experience, I have two suggestions to make on points of detail:-

(a)

Where this might be helpful to the Secretary of State, the speaking notes might be prefaced by a statement of our objective in discussion on the item.

(b) Where appropriate, the background should begin with a

brief statement of the Japanese interest. (On the similar occasion last year, the criticism was made that, particularly in the more complicated technical items, it was not always immediately clear from the background notes wherein lay the Japanese interest and concern.)

4. I should be grateful if briefs could be sent in draft to Mr. Pickles (Far Eastern Department) not later than 21 April. There is to be an Office Meeting to brief the Secretary of State at 4.30 p.m. on 28 April, and the briefs will be required by the Private Secretary in final form not later than the morning of April 25.

5. If Departments foresee items which might come up in the course of discussion but for which provision has not been made in the annotated agenda, I should be grateful if they would get in touch with Mr. Pickles about briefs.

6. It is not intended to have a separate formal agenda for the discussions between officials, but to concentrate on some of the items on the agenda for Ministers. We await the suggestions of the Japanese about this.

DISTRIBUTION,

16 APR 1959

HKIL 1/13

CONFIDENTIAL

23

(JAMES MURRAY) 10 April, 1969