TNAG-1254-FCO40-1587-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 34

I'

DSR 11 (Revised)

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT: minute/letter/teleletter/despatch/note

FROM:

PUS

DEPARTMENT:

TEL. NO:

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

TO:

Sir Robert Armstrong GCB CVO

Top Secret

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Unclassified:

Cabinet Office

Whitehall

LONDON SW1

TYPE: Draft/Final 1+

Reference

Your Reference

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CAVEAT.

..In Confidence

SUBJECT:

ANGLO-FRENCH SUMMIT: 20-21 OCTOBER 1983

1. This letter sets the scene for the Anglo-French Summit

due to take place in London on 20-21 October.

Enclosures-flag(s)......

2. President Mitterrrand will come to London in more

confident a mood after the summer break.

Dissatisfaction

with the Government's chosen economic policies had caused a sharp division within the Government itself and

among its supporters. The rioting in Paris streets during the early summer was a more visible expression of disquiet at where the Government's policies seemed to be leading. Economic indicators during the summer months

have, however, been encouraging.

The Government should

now have little difficulty in gathering the support of the Socialist Party Congress next month for its policies. The advocates of reflationary policies behind a

protectionist tariff wall are out of favour.

The

popularity of the President and the Government has risen slightly in the opinion polls; the French Franc has

CONFIDENTIAL