TNAG-1783-FCO40-2543-Hong-Kong-Commonwealth-War-Graves-Commission-1988 — Page 6

CODE

18-77

Miss Hall Hall

SEAD

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Reference

11

МКС 225/1

RECEIVED IN BEGINTS

17 AUG 1988

DESK OFFICER

GISTRY

BURMA: CHINDIT NATIONAL MEMORIAL

1.

INDE

PA

on Take.

I

He

In the Arab/Israel context, General Wingate was a controversial figure. While serving in Palestine during the British mandate period he was responsible for training the "night squads" of the Jewish Underground Resistance whose objectives were to drive the Arabs from Palestine using terror tactics, despite the British. is therefore a hero for the Israelis and an enemy for the Arabs, especially the Jordanians. Wingate's activities were not consistent with the impartial management of the Mandate and he was eventually transferred.

2. It will not go down well with Arab Governments that a monument to Wingate, quoting Winston Churchill's description of him as a "man of genius", is to be erected on Whitehall. It follows that we should avoid involvement in the Chindits Old Comrades' Association's contacts in the NENAD area. Not with the Israelis; still less with whatever is meant by Lt Col White's obscure reference to "Palestine". (Jordan? The PLO?!) It might be helpful to advise Lt Col White not to pursue contacts with Palestinians. However, I am sure his Association's appeal would be welcomed if he applied to the appropriate part of the Israeli MOD.

Айсли моите

A M Thomson

Near East and North Africa Department

8 August 1988

CC: Ms Slater, Hong Kong Dept

Mr Collis, SAD

Mr Ramsay, NAD

Ms

Rawlins, WAD

Ms Blackburne, EAD

IS 1

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