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Ivan:
on: Kr. C.A. Whitmore - Assistant Under Secretary of State (Defence
Our reference:AUS(D Staff)/338/75 Your reference:
C. Wilson, Esq., Cabinet Office.
Dear Whisen,
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.1
Telephone: pregoa/pozzparx 218 6599
Defence Dent
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51
15SEP1975
NICKIO||
9 September 1975.
ce
Staff)
279
PS./RUS
a Mr Banett
NEW AD
MED
Thweci
Caribbean Depts in Thomsone
FORECAST OF OPD BUSINESS
.0.D
BKIOX
I am following up my predecessor's letter of 1 September about 050 business for September with a forecast of our proposals for OPD business during the rest of 1975 and into 1976.
2.
As requested, I attach our forecast in tabular form at Annex, but I am afraid that at this stage the timing in all cases is subject to qualification and cannot be regarded as firm:-
A
Palance of laval Strengths between Israel and the Arab States The Defence Secretary is under remit from OPD(75)6th Keeting to esross the balance of naval strengths and he may wish to report this to CBD. If so, it is likely to take the form of a note for information rather than a paper for discussion.
b. lasirah
It has been agreed that any discussions with the Americans on lasirah would best be handled in the wider setting of consultations on any further defence cuts. No firm forecast can, therefore, be given at this stage for consultations with the Americans but late November is a very tentative date for a report to OPD, probably by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.
C.
Hydrographic Study Group Report
OFD(S) will probably take this paper again in October and it will almost certainly require reference to OPD subsequently, since it is doubtful whether OFD(S) will be able to reach
a conclusion which is satisfactory to all Departments. November is a tentative date for OPD discussion.
Tefence Exports and Defence Requirements
A revised paper has just been circulated to officials and it is unlikely to be ready for OPD much before Christmas.
Defence Facilities in the Bahamas
The negotiations now seem likely to start in October and we shall probably need to consult Ministers during the negotiations but this may not need reference to OPD. A paper, either by the
SECRET
}
/FCO
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