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to prepare for the post-Franco era and was establishing, in a general sort of way, a number of contacts with people in Spain. He hoped that if these came to the attention of the TUC his actions would not be misinterpreted as indicating that Britain is making friends with Franco.
Relations with the Arab States and OPEC
28. Lord Briginshaw expressed concern that Britain seemed to be one-sided in its relationships with Arab States and the OPEC countries. It was necessary, he thought, to counter-balance this impression in relation, for example, to Israel. Mr Callaghan replied that the Labour Party has always been a close friend of Israel and will remain so but these close links cannot prevent this country from seeking to improve relations with the Arab States. He had seen the Egyptian Foreign Minister last week and only that morning had had talks with the Syrian Foreign Minister.
It was necessary to maintain a balance. In their own interests, he was constantly trying to persuade the Israelis to be more flexible.
Liberia
29. Mr Jones said that but for a last minute TGWU intervention, the Liberian tanker bringing the first North Sea oil to the Thames Estuary refineries would have been blacked on the grounds that it was a flag of convenience ship. He might find it necessary to write to Mr Callaghan on the general subject of flag of convenience ships and seek to raise the problems involved at a later series of talks.
Conclusion
30. Mr Jones thanked Mr Callaghan for his careful explanation of Government policy and for the sympathy with which he had dealt with their observations. Mr Callaghan looked forward to the next meeting with the International Committee of the TUC.
Overseas Labour Adviser
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
24 June 1975.
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