TNAG-1635-FCO40-2251-Overseas-visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-1988 — Page 7

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MKB 02719

TRECEIVE.

IN REGISTRY

FROM: c19 WAN1988, SEAD

DATE:

23 December 1987 DESY OFFICER

Mr Gillmore Mr McLaren

P/

Mr Hum, HKD... Mr Burns, SAD

Mr Meyer, News Dept

aken

Mr Gore-Booth, Planners

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA; SPEECHES

1. Your minute of 18 November invited us to consider what speeches the Secretary of State might give during his planned visit to South East Asia next Easter.

2.

I recommend "dinner speeches" in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore; and

a major more regionally orientated

speech in Singapore.

3. I attach outlines of the themes that might be addressed in each speech. The major speech in Singapore picks up some themes from recent speeches by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, on the potential of, and challenges facing, the Pacific Rim. It would focus on Cambodia, on defence issues (including the value to the region of the US bases in the Philippines), population control and economic issues. would also allow the Secretary of State to outline the part which a revitalised Britain can play in realising that potential and meeting those challenges.

It

4. The theme of a revived Britain could also be used to good effect in Malaysia, building on the interest in UK/Malaysian relations created by Dr Mahathir's recent visit. The speech might present "Britain Today"; what we are trying to achieve; and the contribution we can make to Malaysia (and implicitly to other South East Asian countries).

5.

The speech in Brunei should, I think, be more narrowly targetted. It could highlight the closeness of bilateral relations, particularly defence co-operation, and the many economic ties. It would also allow us to welcome Brunei's efforts to promote regional co-operation, and the increasingly lively role which Brunei plays within ASEAN.

6.

www

The second speech in Singapore might cover some of the positive aspects of the bilateral relationship to include defence co-operation, British investment, the importance of invisibles, the work of the British Council and emphasis on Britain's economic revival (which Lee Kuan Yew tends to dispute). An important promotional theme could be the

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