TNAG-1635-FCO40-2251-Overseas-visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-1988 — Page 35

GRS 360

RESTRICTED

F BERNE

Www 2026/1

Restricted

1987

EGISTRY

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELNO 27

OF 18093OZ FEBRUARY 87

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

INFO SAVING ZURICH, CONSUL-GENERAL GENEVA

MIPT: YOUR VISIT 14-16 MAY:

COPY

1. PROPOSED PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR YOUR TALKS WITH AUBERT IS:

(A) BILATERAL RELATIONS SEMI COLON

(B) CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SITUATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO EAST/WEST RELATIONS SEMI COLON

(C) CSCE SEMI COLON

(D) SOUTH-WEST ATLANTIC (ARGENTINA, FALKLANDS, FISHERIES) SEMI COLON

(E) INTEGRATION AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, INCLUDING SWISS-EC

RELATIONS SEMI COLON

(F) OTHER REGIONS, EG CHINA AND HONG KONG, SOUTH AFRICA, CENTRAL AMERICA, MIDDLE EAST.

COMMENT

2. DISCUSSION OF BILATERAL RELATIONS CAN, I SUGGEST, BE SHORT BUT SHOULD ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE (OF WHICH THERE IS PLENTY).

3. ARMS CONTROL COULD BE TAKEN UNDER EITHER (B) OR (C).

4. TERRORISM COULD BE TAKEN UNDER (E).

5. (D) WOULD PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND AUBERT OF OUR POSITION AND POLICIES PRIOR TO PRESIDENT ALFONSIN'S VISIT TO BERNE IN JUNE (OF WHICH FID ARE INFORMED).

6. THE ORDER OF REGIONAL SUBJECTS FOLLOWS SWISS PREFERENCE. TIME MIGHT PREVENT TAKING ALL THESE SUBJECTS AT THE MORNING SESSION ITSELF, BUT THE LUNCH WOULD GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE ON ANY OF THESE TOPICS WHICH HAD NOT SO FAR BEEN TAKEN. THE CHINA AND HONG KONG ITEM NEED NOT BE LONG, BUT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR ENCOURAGING THE SWISS TO GO ON MARCHING IN STEP WITH US SEMI COLON THEY HAVE BEEN GENERALLY COOPERATIVE HITHERTO ON

EG. PASSPORTS AND AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT REVISION.

7. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OTHER FEDERAL COUNCILLORS. WITH DELAMURAZ WHO IS NEW TO HIS OFFICE, IT COULD BE USEFUL TO CONCENTRATE IF POSSIBLE ON THE PROBLÉM OF WORLD-WIDE AGRICULTURAL SURPLUSES AND TRADE. THE PROBLEM OF SUBSIDIZATION, PROTECTIONISM AND SURPLUSES EXISTS IN MICROCOSM

IN SWITZERLAND AND PUTS HIM IN A DILEMMA IN HIS NEW DEPARTMENT. HIS PARTY (RADICAL) STANDS FOR BIG BUSINESS AND FREE TRADING, HIS HOME CANTON (VAUD) FOR AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION. WITH KOLLER, NEW DEFENCE MINISTER, AND WELL-DISPOSED TO US BY BACK GROUND, THE THEME COULD BE CONFIRMATION OF EXISTING POLICIES OF

INTERCHANGES OF IDEAS AND PEOPLE AND WOULD LEAD NATURALLY ON TO OUR DEFENCE SALES INTERESTS (HAWK AND LANDROVER).

RICH

YYYY

BKLNAN 2191

BERNE WILL PASS SAVING

LIMITED

WED

PROTOCOL D

NEWS D

PS/LADY YOUNG AIR RATFORD

Restricted

FD

CC: R/D Wien. R&B

SH 3/4

PS