TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 105

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3RD DRAFT

at the CSCE is to seek to ensure a more stable relationship

with the East, built upon trust rather than suspicion, and upon

actions rather than words.

21. After an initial meeting of Foreign Ministers in July 1973,

detailed discussions on the CSCE programme of work began in Geneva

during the following September. The Conference covers a

wide range of major issues, including commercial, economic and

technological co-operation; measures designed to increase

contacts among people and the freer flow of information and ideas;

and political and military security.

22. The search for improved military security rests primarily

on measures designed to increase confidence in Europe about the

military intentions of other participants. These discussions have

concentrated mainly on the prior notification on a voluntary basis.

of major military manoeuvres and movements, and the exchange of

observers at manoeuvres.

23. Agreement on the substantive issues being considered by the

Conference has been slow, because the majority of CSCE partici-

pants have not been prepared to settle for mere declarations of

intent without verifiable substance. The Conference is therefore

putting professions about detente to the test in practical ways.

24. The Government is aware that a Conference of this kind

cannot solve all of Europe's problems of security and co-operation.

But as a result of protracted and hard negotiations, we hope that the Conference will reach agreement on specific measures which will

lower barriers in Europe, contribute to growing understanding between East and West, and increase confidence among all European

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