TNAG-1421-FCO40-1904-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 211

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RECORD OF A CALL ON THE PUS BY DR STUART HARRIS, SECRETARY, AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ON 10 OCTOBER 1985

Present:

Sir Antony Acland KCMG KCVO, PUS

Mr Cowper-Coles, PS/PUS

Mr Thompson, SPD

Mr Jenkinson, APS/PUS

Dr S Harris

HE Mr A Parsons, Australian

High Commissioner

Mr J Benson, Minister,

Australian High Commission

300

OTHER TOPICS

(A record of the discussion on CHOGM and South Africa has been circulated separately.)

A.

Security of Small States

1. Sir Antony Acland explained that we were broadly satisfied with the report on Security of Small States and referred to the fact that Mr MacInnes had touched on the question of the use of British Phosphate Commission (BPC) funds at his meeting with Dr Harris on 9 October. Dr Harris explained that the Australian Government had only recently received the report but in principle were in favour of it. On the use of BPC funds they were slightly concerned that if their Treasury agreed to them being considered as additional funding in the first year they might expect them to be absorbed into the total budget in following years. They were also slightly concerned about potential problems in the region which might be better uses of the funds in later years. In particular the future of Nauru, the financial soundness of which was doubtful. The phosphate activities at Christmas Island had just closed and the Australian Government was now faced with the problem of what to do with the inhabitants. Apart from these two doubts, the British proposals on the use of the funds seemed sensible, although it would be difficult for the Australians to give an answer before CHOGM. Mr Thompson pointed out that, if the Australian Government felt obliged to retain the funds for use in Nauru and Christmas Island, such use would still meet the British Treasury's requirements.

B.

2.

South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ)

In response to a question from Sir Antony Acland as to what other topics might be included in the joint communique, Dr Harris said that Australia would wish to include the SPNFZ Treaty, which they regarded as very important. He explained that the British Government, along with the other nuclear weapon states, should formally receive both the text of the Protocols

/and a

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2 1 OCT 1985

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INDEX

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REGISTRY

vation Taken

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