RECOMMENDATION
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2.
I recommend that
(a) HMG invite all states with which it has diplomatic relations (excluding South Africa and Panama), as well as Argentina (via the Swiss), non-member observer states
(except North Korea), British Dependent Territories, relevant specialised agencies and inter-governmental organisations;
(b) HMG's formal invitations should be signed by the Home Secretary.
(c) We instruct our posts as a first step to approach those in (a) above, seeking guidance on the
Minister/Official to whom the formal invitation should be addressed in each case; and
(d) the FCO agree in principle to fund the attendance of Ministers from a limited number of carefully-targetted developing countries where this is necessary to secure their attendance.
Draft telegrams are attached. UND, MVD, Finance Dept, RMD, WIAD, SEAD, SAMD, MCAD, SAD, WAD, EAD, NENAD, FID, and Legal Advisers agree.
But SAfD see no grounds for a refusal to invite South Africa.
A
B
BACKGROUND
3.
The Summit was originally announced by Mr Hurd, as Home Secretary, in May. It was subsequently agreed that the Summit should be held at the QEII Conference Centre on 9-11 April 1990 and should be held "in association with the United Nations". At a meeting of the Ministerial Group for the Misuse of Drugs on 16 October, Ministers agreed that invitations to the Conference should issue as soon as possible. UK and UN officials have since agreed a provisional programme.
4. Despite three meetings with UN officials from Vienna, agreement is however still outstanding on a number of issues, including the participation of UN member states with which the UK does not have diplomatic relations, Palestine, North Korea etc, (who, if invited, would probably have to be invited by the UN Secretary-General) and the position on privileges and immunities. We shall be submitting separately on these points.
/ARGUMENT
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