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10. I AM AFRAID THAT THE PREMIER IS NOT CONTENT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S REPLY TO HIS MESSAGE. WITHOUT CONSULTING ME HE HAS RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS FROM THE TIMES CORRESPONDENT WHICH CANNOT BE HELPFUL. I HAVE URGED HIM TO WAIT UNTIL WE SEE HOW THE FULL DEBATE GOES HERE BEFORE TAKING MATTERS FURTHER AND, ANYHOW, TO CONSULT ME. HE WILL DO SO.
11. I THINK ALL THIS WILL PROBABLY BLOW OVER, BUT I AM CONCERNED LEST IT SHOULD SPARK OFF ANOTHER ROUND OF RIOTING, INVOLVING THE RETENTION OF BRITISH TROOPS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD: AND, ON THE POLITICAL PLANE, LEST IT RENDERS ME IMPOTENT TO STAY ABOVE THE EMOTIONAL CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES SO AS TO TRY TO BRING THEM TOGETHER AND TO HEAL THE WOUNDS. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION YESTERDAY WAS ASKING FOR MY RECALL.
RAMSBOTHAM
PERMUN
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4
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