TNAG-0612-FCO40-760-Visits-of-Lord-Goronwy-Roberts--Minister-of-State-for-Foreig-1977 — Page 6

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Mr Cortazzi

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Lord Goronwy-Roberts was unhappy not to be able to carry out his visit to the Philippines and Singapore as planned and, as you will have seen from his personal message to Lee, has suggested that the visit to Singapore be reinstated.

2. I should be grateful if at the next Ministerial Visits Committee meeting, consideration could be given to the possibility of Lord Goronwy-Roberts visiting South East Asia later in the year. He has in mind a visit encompassing Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta and possibly Brunei; (although the latter will of course be contingent upon the progress, if any, made during the May discussions). As far as timing is concerned, on the Minister's present plans, possible dates would seem to be late July, early August or early September, although the whole of the Minister's programme for the remainder of this year is still tentative.

3. The Minister is also, as you know, contemplating the possibility of a visit to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Gilberts later in the year although again, this is dependent on the progress that is made in the meantime over the Banabans. If sufficient progress were made he would prefer, if it were possible, to undertake such negotiations as may be necessary in London, by bringing the parties here. But he accepts that events may require him to travel to the Pacific later in the year. The most likely timing would seem to be October or November.

/4. The Minister