TNAG-1147-FCO40-1427-UK-policy-towards-South-East-Asia--including-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 99

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HEADS OF MISSION CONFERENCE: BANGKOK DECEMBER 1982

1.

Mr Giffard

Mr Donald

Mr Burdess

Astan inco

We need to tell our posts what the theme of the meeting of 13/14 December will be, to commission papers for discussion at the meeting and to clear our minds on the likely agenda. We should also formally invite Posts to attend (they should all know that the Conference is to take place).

2.

Subject to your views, we propose that the theme should be 'the promotion of British interests in South East Asia'.

3.

Seer (13)

I suggest that Planning Staff should prepare a paper on the prospects for ASEAN and implications for BRitish policy. The starting point might be the paper produced for the 1980 conference.

4.

As suggested earlier by Mr Elliott, Planning Staff might also be asked to produce a paper on Sino-Soviet competition for influence in South East Asia.

5.

The following might be a provisional agenda:

(a)

Prospects for ASEAN and implications for British policy.

(b) Sino-Soviet competition for influence in South East Asia.

(c)

*[

Cambodia/Vietnam.

(d) Future of Hong Kong.

(e)

Chinese policy towards South East Asia.

(f) Japanese policy towards South East Asia (particularly

trade aspects).

Trade matters (including export promotion, MFA and

possibly commodities).

(g)

(h)

British aid policy.

(i)

Cultural matters (subject to British Council participation).

6.

In our view we should invite the Heads of Mission or chargés from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Hanoi (chargé and Ambassador Designate), Vientiane, Brunei, Rangoon, Peking (subject to other commitments), Mr Maclaren from Hong Kong and Mr Whitehead from Tokyo.

7. I should be grateful for your views. It might be helpful to have a meeting to discuss matters.

P.M. Meiston

P M Newton

South East Asian Department W 86

233 3470

15 October 1982

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