TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 62

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28. In answer to Tengku Rithauddeen, Dr Owen said that we had How not yet made a decision on the sale of Harriers to China. did Malaysia view the proposal? Tengku Rithauddeen said that China lagged behind Russia militarily; sales of the Harrier

Dr Owen said the decision could help balance the two forces. was not easy. We wished to restrict sales to defensive

We should in equipment, and Harrier was a border-line case. any event wish to balance our political, defence and commercial relations with China and to ensure, therefore, that she did not The Harrier deal restrict purchases only to defence equipment.

would certainly have an effect on our relations with Russia; but we would not, of course, allow Moscow to dictate our foreign policy.

29.

At his departure Tengku Rithauddeen reiterated his invitation for Dr Owen to visit South East Asia as soon as he could find a convenient time.

27 November 1978

South East Asian Department

Distribution

PS

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts PS/Mr Luard

PS/Mr Rowlands

PS/PUS

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray

Miss Brown

Mr Fretwell

Mr Weir

Mr Mansfield

MAED

EID(E)

UND HK&GDU CSAD

HM Representatives:-

KUALA LUMPUR (by teleletter)

SINGAPORE

JAKARTA

MANILA

BANGKOK

BRUNEI

HANOI

VIENTIANE

RANGOON

PEKING

MOSCOW

WASHINGTON

TOKYO

CANBERRA WELLINGTON

/EAD

CONFIDENTIAL