TNAG-0885-FCO40-1095-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 33

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH MR SONODA, 22 MAY

CONSOLIDATED SPEAKING NOTES

Anglo-Japanese Relations

1. The new Government attaches great importance to

maintaining a constructive and close relationship with

Japan. Grateful for this early opportunity to establish

personal contact, particularly just before the Tokyo Summit.

Sorry that the Prime Minister is unable to stay on in Japan

after the Summit. But we look forward to frequent political

and economic exchanges between British and Japanese Ministers

thereafter. Mr Esaki will have an opportunity to discuss

bilateral economic relations later in the week. (For

background see Annex C.)

Prospects for the Tokyo Summit

2. World economic prospects are uncertain: we therefore

look forward to working with the Japanese at the Tokyo Summit. A good deal of responsibility devolves on Western

leaders to work out policies for combating inflation and

unemployment, reducing excessive surpluses and deficits and

accommodating higher oil prices and energy shortages.

3.

Problems of this magnitude can only be faced jointly.

But the surplus countries, including Japan, have a

particular responsibility both towards their trading

Partners and towards the non-oil developing countries who

are hardest hit by oil price rises.

Rhodesia

4. Last month's elections have brought about a fundamental

change. Bishop Muzorewa clearly has substantial popular

support. He will shortly become Rhodesia's first black

Prime Minister, at the head of a predominantly African

administration.

CONFIDENTIAL

15.