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ING 4 A) ABOVE). THIS WOULD ENABLE YOU TO PUT DATES TO
HOST GOVERNMENTS QUITE SOON, BEFORE DIARIES FILL UP.
B) WE WOULD HOPE TO KEEP THE TOUR TO THE ORIGINAL PLANNED
LENGTH AND WE MIGHT POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO INCLUDE THAILAND
(FOR WHICH JUSTIN STAPLES HAS MADE A STRONG PLEA) IF THE
PRIME MINISTER HAD ALREADY DEALT WITH SRI LANKA IN JANUARY.
C) THERE WOULD BE TIME FOR PROPER PLANNING.
D) THE RISK OF A SECOND POSTPONEMENT OR CANCELLATION WOULD
BE MUCH REDUCED.
E) WHILE THIS COURSE WOULD MEAN SLIPPAGE OF A YEAR
FROM THE ORIGINAL DATES, IT SHOULD, PROPERLY PRESENTED,
SET AT REST ANY DOUBTS ABOUT OUR INTENTION TO REINSTATE
THE VISIT.
7. WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO BELIEVE THAT 6E MIGHT BE WELL FOUNDED
WHEN RAJARAM (UNDER-SECRETARY, MALAYSIAN MFA) CALLED HERE]
ON 28 SEPTEMBER. HE MADE IT PLAIN THAT HIS
PRINCIPAL CONCERN WAS THAT WE SHOULD TELL THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMEN
QUICKLY WHEN WE WANTED THE VISIT TO TAKE PLACE, BOTH TO AVOID A
LOSS OF MOMENTUM AND FOR DIARY REASONS, GIVEN DR MAHATHIR'S BUSY
SCHEDULE. RAJARAM SEEMED LESS WORRIED ABOUT THE ACTUAL TIMING.
8. I RECOGNISE THAT HOWEVER CAREFULLY A DECISION TO POSTPONE
THE VISIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1985 MIGHT BE PRESENTED, WE SHOULD RISK
SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTING HOST GOVERNMENTS AND COMPROMISING THE
VISIT'S WHOLE PURPOSE. THE CONTINUING UNCERTAINTIES IN
THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION MEAN NO EASY OPTIONS.
BUT WE NEED TO MAKE UP OUR MINDS HOW BEST TO PRESENT THE PROBLEM
TO NO 10, TO ENSURE A VIABLE SOLUTION. RECOMMENDATIONS
ON A PEKING VISIT WILL HAVE TO GO FORWARD IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS,
GIVING US THE BEST PROSPECT WE ARE LIKELY TO GET OF MAKING A DENT
IN THE SEA PROBLEM. I SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
9.
WE SHALL BE SEEKING SIR P MOON'S VIEWS HERE.
SIGNED J D I BOYD
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