CONFIDENTIAL
2016 1
THE NEED TO CUT COSTS AT THE UN.
14. RECENT SIGNS OF RAPPROCHEMENT WITH LAOS. ARUN PANUPONG, FORMER DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER (NOW ADVISER ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO PM PREM) LEADING A DELEGATION TO VIENTIANE. (TALKS COMMENCED 27
NOVEMBER.)
15. THAI-BURMESE RELATIONS APPEAR NOT TO HAVE SUFFERED AS RESULT OF LOG SCANDAL (SEE PARA 3 ABOVE). PRINCESS SIRINDHORN PAID SUCCESSFUL VISIT IN MARCH. THAI DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER PRAPASS
TO VISIT BURMA ON 8-11 DECEMBER.
BILATERAL
POINTS TO MAKE
16.
KEEN TO PROMOTE GREATER BILATERAL TRADE. WAITING FOR NEWS
OF OUTSTANDING UK BIDS (RAILBUS, BALFOUR KILPATRICK/BRITISH
TELECONSULT).
17. PLEASED TO SEE RECENT SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL VISITS.
MR
RENTON, MR BOTTOMLEY, MR PATTEN, MR JOPLING ALL ENJOYED THEIR VISITS THIS YEAR. SIR G HOWE HOPES TO VISIT IN APRIL. 18. PRINCESS ANNE ENJOYED MEETING PRINCESS CHULABHORN ON 27
OCTOBER. HRH DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE CHULABHORN'S INVITATION TO
VISIT THAILAND. HOPES TO VISIT NEXT YEAR. ALSO CONSIDERING POSSIBILITY OF A SHORT TRIP TO LAOS (1-1 AND A HALF DAYS) YOUR VIEWS? (DEFENSIVE HRH WOULD BE VISITING IN A SAVE THE CHILDREN FUN CAPACITY. NO HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS WITH SENIOR LAO OFFICIALS
ENVISAGED).
BACKGROUND
J
19. MINISTERS AGREE WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ATTACHED TO THE SUBMISSION ON THE PROPOSED VISIT BY PRINCESS ANNE TO LAOS. THEY ALSO AGREE THAT WE SHOULD SOUND OUT THE THAIS FIRST. UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION, SUGGEST YOU RAISE DURING CALL AT THE MFA.
REFUGEES
POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE)
2U. AWARE OF YOUR VIEW THAT YOU ARE BEING LEFT WITH UNACCEPTABLE REFUGEE BURDEN. COMMEND YOUR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE.
21.
IDEAL MUST BE CREATION OF CONDITIONS IN WHICH NO MORE INDO-CHINESE WILL WISH TO LEAVE THEIR COUNTRIES AND THOSE IN CAMPS WILL CHOOSE TO RETURN. IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHALL CONTINUE
3
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.