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Private Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
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RALEIVED A PARA NO. 51
JAN 679
OFAUER
REGATRY Actigh Polen
VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE FAR EAST
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17.
Mr Quaylom
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1. You asked me yesterday for advice on places which the Secretary of State might visit on his way to China. I told you that I did not see any need for the Secretary of State to stop off in the Sub-Continent. Bangladesh, India and Pakistan had all been visited by the Prime Minister early last year. ASEAN was a much greater priority. I realised that he could not visit all ASEAN countries. I would however hope that he could spend at least 24 hours each in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. One possibility was that he could go as far as Singapore by Concorde, picking up his VC10 either in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. I pointed out that Singapore and Malaysia, as Commonwealth countries, particularly deserved attention. Thailand felt herself especially under threat.
2. If the Secretary of State is going to China I think it is worth considering whether it might not be better for him to return via South-East Asia. He could then tell the South-East Asians of his impressions. Perhaps an Indonesian and a Philippine representative could meet him in Singapore if he came down there after going to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
3. I do not think that the Secretary of State can really miss out Hong Kong. Here again, a minimum of 24 hours would be required. I am sure that people in Hong Kong would not understand if Dr Owen, like Mr Crosland, were merely to pass through.
This is especially the case when they are hoping that progress can soon be made with the Chinese to provide greater reassurance for people in Hong Kong for the future.
4.
The Japanese would no doubt want the Secretary of State to go also to Japan but I think that we could argue that because he will be attending the Summit a separate visit in the spring is not necessary.
5. You will recall that the Secretary of State has already given a half-promise to Mr Peacock that he would visit Australia
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