TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 89

CONFIDENTIAL

ESSENTIAL FACTS

CYPRUS

1. Little progress in second round of the Secretary General's

proximity talks (15-26 October). Next round begins on 26 November. Secretary General has said he will not arrange a

high-level meeting (between Kyprianou and Denktash face to face)

without real progress and will report to the Security Council

letting blame lie where it falls. Prospects are bleak, but

since neither side wants to be blamed for failure, a high-level

meeting may yet come about.

2.

:

We have been active with all the parties (Prime Minister/

Kyprianou 24 September, Secretary of State/Halefoglu 27

September, High Commissioner in Nicosia/Kyprianou and Denktash

on 9 and 8 October respectively, Ambassador at Athens/Greek

Deputy Foreign Minister 11 October, Prime Minister's message

to Turks delivered 12 October). Secretary General grateful

and we have gained credit (privately) as his 'only real

supporters'.

Commonwealth Action Group

3.

Established at the New Delhi CHOGM. Members are

Australia, Guyana, India, Nigeria and Zambia. We had

reservations about the Group's value and it has been largely

ineffective. The Australians have kept us fully briefed

and share our reservations. Foreign Ministers of the Group

met the UN Secretary General in New York last December and came

to London in June where they met together and also with President

Kyprianou.

4.

Sir Geoffrey Howe told the Group in July that Commonwealth

support through the Commonwealth Action Group would strengthen

the Secretary General's hand. Since then we have not heard

of any further activity by the Group.

5.

The Turks view the Group with the utmost suspicion and,

with some justification, regard it as a Greek Cypriot stalking

horse. The Australians have told other members that the

Group has to establish its credibility with the Turkish Cypriots

if it is to remain viable.

CONFIDENTIAL