сору withis by But this
Beirut,
From the Secretary of State
-20/1
NFL 026
RECEIV
INL
RF
RY
+
pa
ejar Robert,
Foreign and Commonwealth Officer.
London SW1A 2AH
4 June 1990.
-all papers
Possibh MP's
to Lebron ав
When we met on 8 May you asked for advice on the possibility of visiting Lebanon as a guest of President Hrawi's government.
In principle I am in favour. It is right that we should show support for the legitimate power in Beirut. We are trying to fix up a visit to the UK by the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament for much the same reason. I know our new Ambassador, David Tatham, would be pleased to see you.
I do not need to tell you, however, that conditions in Beirut are unpredictable. The fighting in East Beirut between Aoun's troops and Geagea's Lebanese forces has focussed on control of the ports in the Christian enclave and has made use of the ferry from Cyprus particularly hazardous. The airport in West Beirut is in use, though our own people do not use it because the airport road is where poor John McCarthy was picked up. In general, though, the
situation in the West is now rather better than in the East. The judgement is a fine one and can really only be made by you, taking account of the risks to your security.
Robert Adley Esq MP
/If
16
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