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147445 MDHIAN 9416
HEALTH. THE PRESS ALSO REPORT THE IMB CLAIM THAT THEY WILL BE ESTABLISHING A 24 HOUR REGIONAL PIRACY CENTRE IN KUALA LUMPUR IN
SEPTEMBER.
COMMENT
D
7 SINGAPORE INTERESTS ARE NO LESS CONCERNED THAN OTHERS IN THE REGION. AS THE MAJOR ENTREPOT PORT THEY HAVE MOST TO LOSE IF THE SITUATION GETS OUT OF HAND OR A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER RESULTED. BUT THERE IS A LIMIT ON WHAT THEY CAN DO ON THEIR OWN. THEY NEED TO OPERATE WITH AND THROUGH THEIR NEIGHBOURS. THEIR PREFERENCE FOR QUIET DIPLOMACY IS PREDICTABLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE. THERE IS MUCH TO BE SAID FOR THEIR VIEW THAT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH JAKARTA IS QUIET ENCOURAGEMENT AND POSITIVE SUPPORT, AVOIDING RECRIMINATIONS.
8. THE MFA CAUTION ABOUT OUR RAISING PIRACY IN AN EC/ASEAN CONTEXT IS INTERESTING AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO WEIGH THIS OPTION MORE CAREFULLY. WE WOULD, I IMAGINE, NOT WANT TO PROVIDE ANY
OPPORTUNITY FOR MALAYSIA (AND POSSIBLY INDONESIA) TO PRESS FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH ANY LEVY.
9. I SEE (YOUR TELNO 225 TO CANBERRA) THAT O'NEIL OF THE IMO WILL IS VISITING SINGAPORE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE HIM AND TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. PLEASE LET US HAVE MORE PRECISE DETAILS OF HIS SCHEDULE.
DUGGAN
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
55
AMD
WED
SEAD
HKD
SPD
ADDITIONAL
2
DISTRIBUTION
57
LEGAL ADVISERS
LAD
PS/LENNOX-BOYD
PS/MR GOODLAD
MR BONE
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