TNAG-1230-FCO40-1543-Visit-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1983 — Page 273

CONFIDENTIAL

6.

We believe that the Malaysians would like an early visit by the Prime Minister. This would set the seal on the improvement in Anglo-Malaysian relations since Dr Mahathir's visit to the UK in March. A visit by Mr Luce would be the more welcome if a visit by Mrs Thatcher had by then been arranged or agreed in principle. However, the Malaysians will in any case be interested to hear about the visit to Brunei, a country in which they have a considerable interest.

7.

A visit to Thailand in September would be an appropriate and timely response to the visit this week by Air Chief Marshal Siddhi.

8. As for timing: if the Bruneians can manage a visit at the start of the tour, an indicative schedule might be:

Arrive Singapore for preliminary talk before going on to Brunei

14 September:

14-16 September:

Brunei

16

September:

Return Singapore

17-18 September:

Weekend in Singapore or Malaysia

19-21 September:

Official visit to Malaysia

22-25 September:

Thailand.

This would enable Mr Luce to have a weekend in Thailand before going on to Hong Kong (Hong Kong Department think it would be inappropriate for Mr Luce to spend a weekend in Hong Kong, before his official visit. The Governor will still be involved in talks in Peking, and there will be strong pressure on Mr Luce to start work right away.)

9.

:

If the Bruneians cannot arrange a meeting at the start of Mr Luce's tour, an alternative might be for the Minister to visit Thailand first; go from there to Brunei and Singapore; and then to Malaysia last, before going on to Hong Kong.

Lounges Watson

R Burges Watson

CONFIDENTIAL