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If this is accepted, it would in the context of the future of Diego Garcia and of the Soviet interest in Mauritius, be desirable to speak to the Mauritian Government in reassuring terms about the future of the defence agreement.
KENYA
32. The Bamburi Understanding of 1967 was in deliberately ambiguous terms, and undoubtedly the Kenyans read into the assurance that HMG would give most urgent consideration to the situation in the event of outright Somali aggression against Kenya a more positive obligation to come to their assistance than we feel exists. The with- drawal of the commitment would not result in any tangible saving. It would, however, seriously upset the Kenyan Government at a time, when we need their co-operation over our policy of accepting UK passport- holders from Kenye in a controlled and orderly flow.
33. It should be noted that a small military training team is maintained in Kenya to assist with the training of the Kenyan armed forces. The money for this comes from the FCO vote.
34. CONCLUSION: KENYA There would be no financial gain to HMG, and
some political loss, in taking steps to end the so-called Bamburi understanding. The best course, if possible, would be to let sleeping dogs lie and undertake no special consultation with the Kenyan Government.
SOUTH AFRICA
in
35. Although the Simonstown Agreement does not cost HMG money, considering the possible curtailment of British defence activities outside NATO, it might be appropriate to re-assess its continued value. If, for instance, it was decided that the UK would cease to maintain a naval presence east of the Cape of Good Hope, the importance of the Simonstown facilities would obviously be considerably reduced.
SEATO
36. Until September 1973 force declarations were made by us and other members to certain SEATO plans. These plans were then suspended. The force declarations are now in abeyance. UK military participation s confined to occasional naval exercises. Our participation in the civil activities of SEATO is more significant. Our contribution to the budget costs about £100,000 a year, mostly on the FCO vote. Our
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