vid 96)
DRITISH HIGH COMMISSION,
KUALA LUMPUR.
(+ incl.)
co. S.W.PS, - Jim. Sullikam
(200 5/30)
B/T
www. kagam
0.8.M.
Mw. Ship
Dear Statham,
M 15%
Ikon ontor/ ş.a.
10 September, 1970.
Malaysia and the .E.C.
M. Rama
In Tony Duff's absence on leave I am replying to your letter of 24 August about discussions with the Malaysians on E.E.C. matters.
2.
J
The Malaysian interest in the question of association with the E.E.C. continues as strong as ever. They have set up an "Action Committee' under the Secretary General of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Raja Mohar, to keep an eye on the subject. When I was discussing the problem with Bertie Talalla, Head of the Duropean and Commonwealth Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 September, I mentioned your readiness to receive a Malaysian Minister to discuss the problem. Talalla was very grateful and consulted Raja Mohar about the best procedure. They considered briefly the idea that Raja Mohar might himself discuss the problem in London during his short visit from 10 13 September. However, they felt that his timetable was already too tight and that the notice too short for this. They also thought that it would probably not be appropriate for Tun Tan Siew Sin, at present Minister with Special Functions but de facto Minister of Finance, to raise the question during his visit
to London at the end of September. The Malaysians feel that this should be dealt with by the Minister responsible for Commerce and Industry. At present this is Khir Johari but the Malaysians are rather inhibited from suggesting any date for a visit by him'because of the Tunku's retirement on 21 September. Tun Razak will be forming a new administration and there may well be a new Minister of Commerce. They have therefore undertaken to consider the question and to let us know later how they would like consultations to be carried out.
This seems quite satisfactory from our point of view. It is certainly very useful that we have been able to show them our readiness to continue the discussion.
3.
The Malaysian request to us to sponsor her association has leaked to the press here. The Straits Times of 9 September carried an item datelined London, 8 September, by Yeo Toon Joo giving a fairly factual account which has presumably come
是
N. Statham, Esq.,
European Integration Department,
Foreign and Commonwealth Offico,
London, S.W.1.
COMENTAVENIETAT,
MWE
01353/1
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