PP HONG KONG
PP BTC HONG KONG
GRS 327
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
27311
- 1
HKG 122/324/1
12 MAY 1980
PA
JGIST WY
tion Tuken
No Und 12.0 BR
сто
FM FCO 091415Z MAY 80
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 381 OF 9 MAY
AND TO PRIORITY HAMILTON,
INFO PRIORITY BTC HONG KONG
MIPT: SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN
1. WE APPRECIATE THE PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES WHICH THIS MAY POSE FOR YOU, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE SHIPPING IMPLICATIONS. YOU
MAY FIND IT USEFUL TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE
IN DEALING WITH LOCAL REACTIONS:
(A) IS THIS THE RIGHT MOMENT FOR SANCTIONS?
BY 22 APRIL DECISION OF EC FOREIGN MINISTERS, WE ARE
COMMITTED TO TAKE THE POWERS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT
SANCTIONS. BUT THERE WILL BE NO FINAL DECISION BEFORE
17 MAY.
(B) WILL SANCTIONS NOT DRIVE IRAN INTO THE ARMS OF THE RUSSIANS?
THIS POSSIBILITY IS OF COURSE A SOURCE OF GREAT CONCERN,
AND WE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE IT FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR
RECENT DECISIONS. BUT THE PATIENCE OF THE UNITED STATES
OVER THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF THEIR HOSTAGES IS NOT
INEXHAUSTIBLE, AND PURELY DIPLOMATIC ACTION HAS SO FAR
FAILED TO SECURE THEIR RELEASE. IT IS VITAL THAT WE DEMON-
STRATE OUR SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES AND SHOW IRAN THAT
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT TOLERATE ITS CONTINUED
VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
(C) WILL NOT SANCTIONS HURT US MORE THAN IRAN?
WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAN WITH OUR EUROPEAN AND OTHER PARTNERS. IN DRAWING UP
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CONFIDENTIAL
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