TNAG-1117-FCO40-1391-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 185

1.

CONFIDENTIAL

-

DSR 11C

of trying to contain Soviet influence in the Third

World by making Third World countries feel

wanted, and thereby reducing their incentive

to look for other patrons.

12.

These advantages are not crucial to our interests but

they help. The Soviet Union would no doubt be delighted

to be involved in such a voluntary association of nations

ranging across the political spectrum; and France under

Mitterand is making more of the Franco-African summit,

though France remains firmly at the centre of the

arrangements and determines their shape. More generally,

the Commonwealth is an advertisement for the strength

and flexibility of the Western as opposed to the Soviet

It also provides

approach to international relations.

support and encouragement

particularly through the

Association

M

to its

work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary

members in the maintenance of democratic systems:

though this is not decisive look at Ghana.

Disadvantages of the Commonwealth to Britain

14.

(i)

The disadvantages of the Commonwealth include:

Commonwealth meetings, particularly CHGMs,

take up a great deal of Ministers' and

officials' time: CHGM takes up twice

as much time as any comparable meeting

attended by the Prime Minister.

/(ii)