TNAG-1253-FCO40-1586-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 209

very hard and firm line which is very depressing but that is what we are trying

to do, lower the level of arms.

Q:

You mentioned the Russians. The Swedish Government's statement came

yesterday in connection with Russians submarines in Swedish waters and they

were right into Stockholm. Perhaps you are informed about this report? It's

a committee report which came after several months of studies. How does the

British Government view the situation in the Baltic, in connection with this,

for us amazing, Russian move?

A:

مسح

We regard it as a hostile move and it's quite obvious that Sweden regards

it as a very hostile move, Sweden being neutral, and the Russians seem to have no respect for that. On more than occasion, I think I'm right, when they sent their submarines and you have found them and you have now given a very positive diplomatic signal about Sweden's displeasure. / The Baltic is obviously. a very important area. Denmark is a member of NATC and therefore it's very

important to Denmark and it's very important to the whole of NATO, and it's

[and an area that really needs to be kept free, and-in particular Swedish waters.] Sweden's a neutral state and we think any transgression of that is entirely

wrong.

Q:

Is Great Britain still a world power, in your opinion, and should she

try to be a world power?

A: We are a world power in a particular sense. We are certainly not a

world power in the sense of a superpower, obviously not. We are now of the

second rank, in general strength and standing. But we are a power with a

world wide influence and with exceptionally wide contacts and friendships

throughout the world. That's because of our history. We are a member of

course of the European Community, of the NATO Alliance, of the Economic

Summit of Seven which is going to meet in a month's time.

We are a

permanent member of the Security Council. We are of course a member of the

Commonwealth and in addition to all that we are a nuclear power. So we

have an unusual case history but we have this immense worldwide interest as

a result of it and of course an enormous experience. I think that the

Foreign Service in Britain is respected all round the world, for its expertise

and knowledge and we use that to promote peace and security, to promote

stability, to promote European cooperation and to contribute to. the general

wellbeing of the nations of the world as best we can.

Q:

The Falklands War created tremendous interest in Sweden. How do you

see the future of the Islands?